An adaptation of Mahakavi Laxmi Prasad Devkota’s epic Munamadan is currently being staged at Shilpee Theatre, in Kathmandu.

Directed by debutante Sabin Kattel, the play was first staged in Biratnagar and put together by Birat Adarsha Sahitya Manch. The same team is behind the ongoing staging.

“With this play, we want to testify that the actors working in the mofussil are also able and skilled, and we want to make a strong case to decentralise the theatre scene,” Minkumar Nabodit, one of the organisers has said.

Munamadan is adapted by Katwal Deepak and features actors Deepa Pokharel, Jeena Rai, Lakesh Rai, Anjan Poudel, and Pavitra Khadka, with director Katel himself portraying the lead role of Madan.

Prior to this, the play has been dramatised several times. A 2004 cinematic adaptation, directed by Gyanendra Deuja was also Nepal’s official entry at the Academy Awards for  that year. The ongoing staging will continue at Shilpee till September 11.