About The Event
Mahadev is a theatrical adaptation of renowned writer Dushyant Kumar’s Hindi play Ek Kanth Vishpai. Interestingly, this is the only play he wrote in his literary career. However, the play was concealed within the piles of work of the literary genius until it caught the eyes of Sampoornam. Designed with meticulous intricacy, the play enshrines its essence through the portrayal of multiple characters by six female actors, augmented by the infusion of indigenous folk arts such as Mayurbhanj Chau, Manipur martial arts, Thang-Ta, and the ancient Indian martial art of Kalaripayattu. The play portrays the trepidations of Lord Shiva as a deity, who represents the common man in all his forms. Following the aftermath of Samudra Manthan, Shiva consumed the poison to save the world, and thus he was called Neelkanthi - one whose neck is blue. And, since then, Shiva has been bearing the brunt for society. Be it hatred, violence, malice, treachery, or all types of poison, he has embraced them all with a smile. Yet, the calm-headed deity, regarded as the destructor, is feared for his anger. His anger can destroy the very existence of this entire universe, yet he is expected to consume the poison without any resistance. He does it and keeps going on with his even bluer neck. This is exactly what a common man does every day, every minute. The play and the performance draw a parallel between Shiva and the common man. Expected to live without a voice, the common man is supposed not to think and bears the brunt of every decision made by some higher authority. He is supposed to accept it with bowed head and suffer without muttering a single word, just like Shiva with a blue neck. Every man has a Shiva within themselves, who takes in the poison without much questioning.
