Staff members of the state government’s home department stage a play, Mate Ghungura Pindhiba Mana, at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, May 11: A play staged by the home department of the state government on Tuesday evening gave a picture of restrictions forced by the society on women. The play was staged at Rabindra Mandap by the cultural wing of the department on the occasion of its 45th anniversary celebration.

Directed and written by Santosh Mohanty, the play was titled Mate Ghungura Pindhiba Mana.

The plot portrayed the changes that come in the life of a danseuse hailing from a conservative society. Though her performances are appreciated by the audience, her family members and later, in-laws, taunt and insult her for taking up dance.

However, the talented dancer does not quit. Through the course of the plot, she eventually becomes the breadwinner for both the families. Yet, people she loves do not understand her.

The play ends tragically when the dancer kills herself, tired of the restrictions imposed on her. However, her death proves to be an eye-opener for her relatives.

The play was much appreciated by the audience as it illustrated the need for broadening the outlook of society and providing more opportunities to women to pursue their ambitions.

“It is true that we often impose limitations on the female child. But we must give the freedom to girls to make a career in the field of their interest,” said Smaranika Padhy, who was present in the audience.

“The play was impressive with the actors giving a balanced touch to their respective characters. The stagecraft could have a bit better. But overall, it was a gripping performance,” said Kanhu Charan Mohanty, another viewer.

Director Santosh Mohanty said the theme of the play was based on some real incidents he had come across in small cities.

“Not only in rural areas, women in urban areas, too, face social injustice and I have come across many such incidents. This inspired me to write the play. However, there has been a positive change in the past few years,” he said.

The function was attended by police commissioner B.K. Sharma and home department additional secretary Dilip Mohanty.