Theatre goers in Kathmandu will now get to watch the life and times of the venerated poet Adikavi Bhanubhakta Acharya on stage. The play, titled Raat Chirnya Bhanu, is currently being staged at Shilpee Theatre in Battisputali. 

Written and directed by Prabhakar Neupane, Raat Chirnya Bhanu narrates the story of its protagonist in three parts: Acharya’s childhood, adulthood, and his old age. In doing so, the play not only reenacts the life of Acharya but also sheds light on the conservative society he lived through. Moreover, the play features stagings of the episodes from the books Acharya authored.

In the opening moments of the play, the chorus puts garland on the statue of Acharya; adjoining his statue is the statue of the proverbial Ghansi, the person, as legend has it, who launched the poet into his creative journey. 

Born in Tanahun, to a father who was a ‘dittha’ at a government office, Acharya is regarded as the first Nepali poet—hence the title Adikavi. Approaching his adulthood, the future poet went to Kashi in India to study Sanskrit literature with his grandfather. It was once Acharya made his return home, and after his seminal meeting with Ghansi, that he got into writing poetry. Acharya is also heralded as the first person to translate Ramayana into Nepali. 

Produced by Aarambha Theatre Group, Raat Chirnya Bhanu features actors Prakesh Sindhuliya, Manas Raj, Sakshi Lamsal, Prem Poudel, and Chandani Shahi, among others. 

The play will run till December 2 every day at Shilpee Theatre in Battisputali.