Kalimpong, Feb. 24: After the successful run of Aaina Ma Herda Rau Sahili, spanning three years and 252 shows all over the country, the Kalimpong-based theatre group Bhandra ko Toli is ready with its next play, Salam Rellie Mai.

Following in the lines of their first play, the only commercial Nepali theatre group in the hills will kick off its tour from here on March 13. “The premiere will be held on March 13 at the Kalimpong Town Hall. This will be followed by three more shows for the local audience. We have been booked for the Dooars, Calcutta, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kurseong. We will then tour the country with our play for three years,” said C.K. Shrestha, the writer, director, and choreographer of the play.

Shrestha, however, assured that the similarity between the plays end with their tour itinerary.

“There is a vast difference between the two plays. We did not use full light-and-sound effects last time. This time, we will be using both light and sound effects,” he said, adding that the approximate budget of the drama was around Rs 15 lakh, making it one of the most expensive productions in the hills.

Shrestha said the drama had five, 15-minute plays, woven into it. “It is not a play in its purest form. It is something like a ballad. We have used mostly old Nepali songs from the hills. We specifically introduced them because we do not want the culture to fade,” he added.

The play delves into the glorious past and the tumultuous present of the Gorkhas and tea garden labourers.

“We try to show why the Gorkhas, who gave so much, have got nothing in return,” Shrestha said.

The same holds good for tea labourers also. Families have been involved with the tea gardens for ages. They have slogged their heart out in the gardens but have nothing to show after a tea garden is shut down, he added.