Artistes of Pratidhwani group from Rourkela stage Prapti at the Multilingual Drama festival at Rabindra Mandap in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, March 8: Different facets of life were analysed and presented in form of soul-stirring plays at the 13th National Multilingual Drama Festival that concluded on Monday.

The plays that moved theatre lovers in the city were staged at the Rabindra Mandap, during the weeklong festival organised by Satabdira Kalakara.

The first three plays — Atrupta Ichhar Janha (Satabdira Kalakara, Bhubaneswar), Agyanto Baso (Nandikar, Calcutta) and Sukharam Binder (Himachal Pradesh), dealt with themes such as, poverty and politics, bonding between the old and the young and a male dominated society respectively. The following four days too had topics, which revolved around circumstances one often comes across in some stage of life.

Nabamayukh Natyasanstha from Calcutta staged a play Letora Peto that depicted the story of a woman, Haridasi, who endures various harassments by her mother-in-law. But when she is ousted from the house, everyone finally understands her value. The play was directed by Rishi Mukherjee and was based on the story by Kazi Nazrul.

Itihasko Banki Pristha was a moving play based on the realities of northeast. The play was performed by artistes of Sarwanam from Nepal. They efficiently depicted the vulnerable condition women face in the region. The protagonist, Gita, is forced to leave the village she lives in after her husband is kidnapped. Later, she loses other relatives to the fierce battle on between extremists and the army. Harassed and abused sexually and mentally, she finally commits suicide. Director Ashis Mall left the audience in tears through his play.

“We only read about such incidents in the newspapers. But the play made it possible for us feel what many women like Gita undergo,” said Pratibha Das Mohapatra, a viewer.

Artistes of Abartan, Hyderabad, showcased the famous play written by Badal Sirkar, Ebong Indrajeet.

Directed by Satyabrat Rout, the drama was based on the life of a writer who transforms into different characters and tries getting into relationships. But nothing fulfils his desire and finally he becomes frustrated and ends his life.

The play performed on the final day had a much subtle storyline. Titled Prapti, the play was directed by Lalatendu Rath of Pratidhwani, Rourkela.

Sahadev, a brilliant student, fails to find a job in his hometown and heads off to Delhi to seek help of a reference who is an established man there. However, people take advantage of him. After a lot of struggle, he realises that only he can help himself. He returns home learning a lesson for life.

The drama festival received rave response as theatre lovers flocked the Rabindra Mandap auditorium every evening. A theatre seminar was also held every day during the festival.