Artistes of Mukti Theatre stage Udbhasa at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, April 11: Khandagiri-based Mukti Theatre, which is known for its creativity, staged Katha Manchana, a compilation of three plays, at Rabindra Mandap here yesterday evening. These contemporary works were different in tone and tenor from usual dramas.

The first play, Kukura (the dog), written by Paresh Pattnaik, depicts how human beings have animal traits and beasts exude humanity. The play depicts that unlike the popular notion, a dog can betray his master who is full of vices while the animal shows potential of giving love. The dog that is shown communicating with humans, kills his master and vows to marry his wife.

The play highlights the conflict between bestiality and humanism.

The second play was Saptahara Satadina (seven days of a week). Written by Chandrasekhar Dasverma, the 30- minute play consisted of a sex worker’s monologue essayed by actress Usasi Mishra.

Lying on her comfortable bed, Malini, a sex worker, talks about her fondness for Rudra Mahapatra, one of her customers. She says Rudra, unlike other men who only want her body, loves her. Both of them find solace in each other’s company. Rudra, a married man, spends five days with his wife and visits Malini on weekends. She remembers how her parents had a troubled marriage and one of her relatives sexually abused her.

Lost in thoughts, she hears a knock on her door. Expecting Rudra’s arrival, she opens the door when the head of the brothel tells her that Rudra, who was with another woman, was arrested by police the night before and the brothel has to be shut down. As the spotlights fade away, Malini is shown to be shattered.

The last play Udbhasa (illuminations) was an “abstract collage of gestures” according to director Surya Mohanty. It had 15-odd actors on stage, who keep switching characters among themselves. The story, written by Tarunkanti Mishra, describes the life span of an octogenarian teacher who undergoes various torments in life.

All the three plays showed the command director Surya Mohanty has on his actors. Veejayanta Dash’s set design and Pratap Rout’s music were refreshing.