Kanupriya: Exploring Love and Tragedy in Dharmavir Bharati’s Play Directed by Ratan Thiyam

Kanupriya

Dr. Dharamvir Bharti’s Kanupriya is a collection of love poems blending modern and traditional genres with a touch of the metaphysical poetical trend of early Classical Sanskrit literature. The work portrays the Leela of Radha and Krishna, emphasizing infinity in love alongside the pangs of separation. The world of Kanu and Kanupriya examines both Parimit and Aparimit, exploring binary behavior and the philosophical meaning of love.

Playwright

Dharmavir Bharati (1926–1997) was a renowned Hindi poet, author, playwright, and social thinker of India. He served as the chief editor of the popular Hindi weekly magazine Dharma Yug from 1960 to 1987 and was awarded the Padma Shri for literature in 1972 by the Government of India.

Director

Ratan Thiyam was an alumnus of the National School of Drama, New Delhi. A multi-faceted designer, music composer, choreographer, and playwright, he started the Chorus Repertory Theatre Company at Imphal in 1976. Thiyam received numerous national and international awards, including the Sangeet Natak Akademi award, Padma Shri, and the Kalidas Samman, alongside international honors and fellowships.

Director’s Note

According to the director, Kanupriya is a saga of creation and a critique of love, romance, the finite and infinite, and spirituality. The production utilizes musical compositions, dances, scenography, and choreography to interpret the text as an exhibition of emotions, rasa, and a reflection of a Divine soul.

Group

The Chorus Repertory Theatre, established in Manipur in 1976 by late shri Ratan Thiyam, features a self-sufficient way of life with housing and working quarters. On its 25th anniversary, the company established its permanent theatre, “The Shrine.” The group's acclaimed productions include Chakravyuha, Uttar-Priyadarshi, Urubhangam, Andha Yug, and Macbeth, which have been staged at numerous national and international festivals worldwide.