A Nepali adaptation of Indian playwright Girish Karnard’s debut play, Yayati, is slated to open at Shilpee Theatre, in Battisputali, today. The play is translated into Nepali and directed by Tanka Chaulagain. 

A dramatisation of an episode from the epic Mahabharata, Yayati tells the story of the king Yayati whose father-in-law, incensed by Shukracharya, curses him to age pre-maturely.  

Yayati is director Tanka Chaulgain’s second directorial in mainstream theatre. Prior to this, Chaulagain directed Madhavi, which is also a dramatisation of an episode from the Mahabharata, in 2016. 

“Yayati is a play laden with religious elements, requiring the use of traditional theatrical techniques. But here I have tried to blend the traditional with the modern theatrical sensibilities so that it is easily accessible to a larger audience base,” Chaulagain said. “Having said that, I have, however, abstained from using cheap comedic gimmicks to appeal to the audience’s taste.” 

Yayati features actors Ghimire Yubaraj, Prakesh Sindhuliya, Pavitra Khadka, Archana Panthi, Saraswoti Adhikari and Aakankshya GC.

Yayati will be on stage at Gothale Natakghar in Shilpee Theatre, Battisputali, every day at 5 pm, through March 17.