Shabri Ke Ram: A Powerful Retelling of the Epic Saga

Shabri Ke Ram

Shabri Ke Ram is an untold story of Shabri and Lord Rama, offering a powerful retelling of the epic saga. The play covers key events including Lord Rama’s fourteen years of exile, Ravana’s abduction of Sita, and Rama’s journey to reach his supreme devotee Shabri, who spent her entire life waiting for the darshan of the lord. Shabari merges in the divine light of Lord Ram and attains the supreme abode. The production concludes with the message that Shri Ram resides in the hearts of his devotees and showers his grace and compassion on everyone.

Director

Navin Agarwal serves as the Founder and President of Purvabhyas Natya Sansthan and organizes the Kashi Indian International Film Festival Awards (KIIFFA). His major stage productions include Mrichhakatikam, Aashad ka ek Din, Ghosts, The Glass Menagerie, Manto Ki Mozel, and Manto Ki Sugandhi, among others. He has also directed feature films, web series, serials, and short films. Agarwal received a research fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India and has conducted and directed numerous acting-training and production-oriented workshops.

Director’s Note

Directing Shabri Ke Ram was described as a divine experience. The characters are presented with different dimensions, highlighting the stories of Shabari’s three births, which forms the core theme of the play. The production attempts to give a different dimension to the three main characters—Shabari, Sita, and Surpanakha—while defining women empowerment. Despite its mythological roots, the play offers a refreshing flavor that makes it contemporary.

Group

Purvabhyas Natya Sansthan, established in 1982, has staged plays across various genres and styles. The group organizes production-oriented Adult and Children Theatre Acting Training Workshops throughout India, has participated in national and international theatre festivals in India, and has staged shows abroad. Overall, the group has produced more than 150 plays and performed over 2,000 shows.