Kantipur Theatre is staging ‘Mahabharat’, a play directed by Nabin Bhatta.

The cast includes veterans and newcomers such as Manoj Gajurel, Ramesh Budathoki, Subarna Thapa, Sandeep Shrestha, Kiran Chapagain, Pratik Chaudhary, and Supragya Sharma, among others.

“‘Mahabharat’ is not just a story from the past; it is a mirror to the present. Through Eklavya’s voice, we are trying to ask uncomfortable but necessary questions about power and inequality,” says the theatre team.

In the play, Arjuna represents talent that comes with privilege, while Dronacharya embodies institutional authority that controls access to knowledge.

The theatre’s approach to narrating the epic was cautious, as they simply didn’t want to re-enact the story. As Eklavya is a deeply layered character, grounding the play on his perspective was intentional.

Rejected for mastering the art of archery, Eklavya is a character who chooses to grow from societal hardships—he is a symbol of hope.

With the aim of sparking discussion about the systems that continue to shape our society—especially caste, privilege, and education—the play seeks to reflect on more than just Hindu mythology.

According to the theatre, the crew’s attempt is to create a space for critical questioning and evaluation while staying true to the philosophies in the ‘Mahabharat’.

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Mahabharat

When: May 28 onwards

Where: Kantipur Theatre, Gairidhara

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Time: 5:15 pm

Entry: Rs500 to Rs1,000