Vijaya Bapat (TRN), Vidyadhar Pundlik Chakra

Annotation

Chakra is a one-act play inspired by the classic Indian epic Mahabharata. Told from the unique point of view of its heroine, Draupadi -- it is the tale of duty, love, revenge and healing of Draupadi -- a Queen, a wife and mother. Universal and timeless, the existential questions Draupadi grapples with are equally relevant to our time as they were to hers. This play lingers in your heart long after you experience it.Chakra opens a door to the Mahabharata -- it is a cultural odyssey into ancient India -- her royal palaces and battlefields, her mythology and mores -- and most importantly her ancient wisdom. And yet, though the Mahabharata is thousands of years old, it is as fresh today as it was during the time it was written. Chakra dramatizes one vignette from this grand old epic in a way it has never been presented before -- through the eyes of the female protagonist. This play dances between the earthly world of aspirations, love revenge, healing, and death, and the mythological dimension of curses, boons, and supernatural powers. It leaves you with a thought-provoking insight into forgiveness and the futility of vengeance.Chakra is perfect for play houses from Birmingham to Beijing looking for a simple but profound one-act play from another culture with universal themes and a female protagonist.