Kathmandu:

The cheers of approval arose from the audience time and again with each sentence uttered with passion by the protagonist of the play. The words resounded the sentiments of the nation today in the current political turmoil, the reshaping of conditions prevalent that had overlapped human interests to fulfil the desires of a few.

The play titled Ek Raat boldly depicted all this. This is the only political play written by BP Koirala and was written at a time when many of the nation’s leaders had been jailed for revolting against the Panchayati system.

The play was performed by the group Sarwanam. Director Ashesh Malla put it, “BP Koirala is my biggest inspiration and as I also teach his literature. When we were asked to stage his play, it was an opportunity which I was obliged to do it.”

Malla certainly brought out the best in each actor with them enacting their parts with conviction and letting the emotions drift from the stage to the audience at the Birendra International Convention Centre on February 23.

Sarwanam is the leading group when it comes to street drama and has been consistently staging plays related to human rights, social issues and democracy since its birth in 1982.

“It certainly was not an easy undertaking for me. Unlike other plays this one had no proper script or dialogues. Koirala has written it in a very symbolic way and to manifest that in the form of a complete play was a huge responsibility,” says Malla.

Perfectly set in a rustic environ, well complemented by the clothes and traditions it captured, it showcased our country in a beautiful manner. The live music accompaniment to soothe and ignite everyone present aptly captured the mood of the play. It is specially focused on the youth, their yearnings for a democratic nation and their courage to fulfil their dreams, sidelining their personal lives for democracy. Their willingness and their determination to fight against all odds, to stand tall against the face of adversity and even sacrifice their lives for the nation.

The way the artistes directed the atmosphere from a highly aggressive to a subdued one, and back to one turned the actors into an aggressive state had a forceful impact on the audience. The play flowed flawlessly from one scene to another.

“It was the help from the Embassy of India and BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation that made this venture successful,” says Malla. And also gives credit to Harish Chandra KC, assistant director for this achievement.