Panighatta, a play written and directed by the Lamjung-based director Puru Lamsal, is slated to represent Nepal at an upcoming international drama festival—Sombu Mitra and Bijon Bhattacharya Memorial Drama Festival—in Rabindranagar, Kolkata, in India. The play will be Nepal’s sole representative at the festival. The drama is put together by the artists from Manjari Theatre Group in Lamjung.

Rehearsal for the drama is currently ongoing at Besishahar, Lamjung, where the play will be staged prior to its premiere at the festival.

Speaking to the Post, the play’s director Lamsal said, “Even though the play is still under production, the organisers at the fest judged its merit from the script we sent them, and we were informed that the play has been selected. The play revolves around the endangered panighatta—a water mill, which itself is an emblem of our folk culture. Alongside this, we have also weaved episodes of folk songs, especially the thado bhaka, popular in the western region.”

Prior to Panighatta, Lamsal had directed the play Fadke, which drew audiences in droves in Lamjung.

Director Lamsal added: “Fadke was significant in that it proved we can stage a play in the moffussil using whatever resources we have. We hope that Panighatta will take our theatrical journey forward.”

Panighatta will be staged in Besishahar on February 1, and then will travel to Kolkata where it will be staged on February 24.