Once in India (Rakt Abhishek): A Historical Play Exploring the Mauryan Empire and Moral Dilemmas

Once in India (Rakt Abhishek)

Once in India is a historical play based on an event from about 22 centuries ago, representing Greek culture and the Mauryan empire. The play explores the historical incident of Army Chief Pushyamitra Shung (also referred to as Pushyamitra Shunga) overthrowing and killing the last Mauryan king, Brihadrath, when he hesitated to defend the country against foreign invasion. The production debates the moral dilemma of violence versus non-violence regarding national security.

Writer

The play was written by the visionary playwright and administrator D.P. Sinha, who passed away on 7th November 2025. His body of work includes fifteen plays, such as the Sahitya Akademi Award-winning Samrat Ashok. His contributions to Indian culture were recognized with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and the Padma Shri.

Director

Aayushi Tripathi is an Indian Theatre Director and Classical Odissi Dancer with over a decade of experience in the performing arts. Her accolades include a Scholarship and a Junior Fellowship in the field of Theatre from the Ministry of Culture.

Director's Note

Director Aayushi Tripathi describes the performance as an exploration of the Indian subcontinent's intersection between the Mauryan Empire and Greek philosophies. The production navigates the transfer of power through the coup by Army Chief Pushyamitra Shunga against Emperor Brihadrath, inviting audiences to wrestle with the paradox of governance, non-violence, and national security.

Group

Upstage Art Group has worked on theatre productions, music programs, folk dances, folk music, and folk arts. The group has conducted workshops, seminars, over 250 stage performances, about 60 one-act plays in Delhi and other Indian cities, and over 9,000 street plays.