Khabar Harayeko Chitthi, a play that delves into the woes of families of people who disappeared during the ten-year Maoist insurgency, is currently being staged at Mandala Theatre in the Capital.

The play has been divided into four segments: Dry Eyes, Kurrai Lau, Sketch Stories, and Next Episode—all of which explore the manifold effects of the war on various cross-sections of the Nepali society, with the segments ultimately culminating to paint a realistic picture of all war-stricken societies.

The first sequence, Dry Eyes, tells the story of how one father living in remote Jumla refuses to leave his village in the days ensuing his son’s disappearance even when everyone around him flees to safer places. While the second sequence, Kurrai Lau, tells the haunting story of Sanchamaya, who refuses to give away her disappeared husband’s drum and turban—two essential gears used in the religious rituals practiced in the region—in the hopes of her beloved’s return. The penultimate sequence, Sketch Stories, tells the story of parents who are desperately waiting on their son, an aspiring artist, to come home. Likewise, the last sequence titled Next Episode shows  how  a disappointed wife, tired of waiting for her lost husband, starts a new business to get through life. The play is a product of the Theatre Direction Workshop which took place in Kaski earlier this month. The workshop was facilitated by Bimal Subedi and involved 12 theatre directors—Akanchha Karki, Shankar Rijal, Sudam CK, Kedar Shrestha, Sijan Dahal, Chetan Angthupo, Kiran Chamling Rai, Pariwartan Karki, Patrika Ghimire, Renuka Karki, Pashupati Rai and Sonam Lama.

Khabar Harayeko Chitthi will be on stage at Mandala till Sept 9, every day (bar Monday) at 5:30 pm.