Madhavi: A Women-Centric Play Inspired by the Mahabharata

Madhavi

Madhavi is a women-centric play inspired by the Mahabharata. It follows the life of Madhavi, the daughter of King Yayati, as she strives to find her identity through sacrifice, perseverance, and societal constraints. In the story, sage Galav promises his guru Vishwamitra 800 white horses with black ears for the Ashwamedha ritual. Madhavi helps in this task, possessing the ability to regain her virginity after bearing children. Galav gives her to three kings, each bearing a son, while Galav receives horses. After enduring physical and mental pain, Madhavi realizes society treats her soul and existence like a commodity. She ultimately renounces the world and heads for the forest, representing a symbol of a woman's suffering and self-respect.

Writer

Bhisham Sahni, born in 1915 in Rawalpindi, was a Hindi writer, playwright, and academician. He worked as a Hindi translator in Moscow, resumed a lectureship at Delhi University, edited the literary magazine Nai Kahaniyan, and was associated with IPTA, the All-India Progressive Writers Association, the Afro-Asian Writers’ Association, and the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (Sahmat). He received the Padma Bhushan in 1998 and the Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2002.

Director

Abhishek Sharma is an actor, director, and light designer who is a postgraduate from the Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University, Chandigarh. In 2018, he founded Parampara Arts (Cultural Society), presenting over 700 street play performances and conducting theatre workshops in Chandigarh slum areas. His directorial credits include Aadhe Adhure, Madhavi, Namak ka Daroga, Gagan Damama Bajeyo, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, Paanchwan Parantha, Shankh‐Naad, Takseem, Nok Jhonk, Hiranyakashyap Murder Case, Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein, Deep Daan, and Agra-Leela. He is the founder and curator of the festival “Rang Parampara,” a member of the Regional Advisory Committee at the ICCR, an advisory member at the CBFC, and Director of the Tagore Theatre Society, Chandigarh.

Director’s Note

Abhishek Sharma notes that Madhavi is a tale of sacrifice, duty, and the price a woman pays against societal ambitions. When Bhisham Sahni rewrote the tale, he gave voice to a woman maintaining her dignity despite being a victim of circumstances. The production uses music, expressions, and dialogue to express her inner struggle, emotions, and self-acceptance.

Group

Founded in 2018, Parampara Arts promotes theatre and performing arts among youth, having organized six theatre festivals between 2018 and 2024. The organization produces short films, documentaries, a light and sound show, blood donation camps for thalassemia patients, and street plays in collaboration with the Tri-City Administration. Parampara Arts is empanelled with the Song and Drama Division.