Sambalpur: Tapaswini, the epic poem of poet Gangadhar Meher, was performed into a play for the first time by a group of enthusiastic artistes.

The play staged in the Aranyak Mancha on Monday night by the artistes of Adrushya Natya Ashram, Sambalpur, left theatre lovers spellbound. The play was written by Ashok Kumar Bohidar and designed and directed by Atish Kumar Satpathy.

The poem is an account of the life in post-punishment episode of Sita in Valmiki's hermitage.

The theme and the message of Tapaswini is rather contemporary as it is depicting the relationship between a mother and mother nature. The theme evokes respect towards mother nature and celebrates womanhood.

Veteran musician Girija Shankar Mishra scored the music for the play under the choreography of Asim Pradhan.