Kathmandu:

Kismis Ko Biskun, the Nepali adaptation of Lorraine Hansbury’s Pultizer prize winning drama A Raisin in the Sun was staged at the Nepal Academy Hall, Kamaladi on March 21. Organised by the Nepal Academy and American Embassy, play was inaugurated by American Ambassador James F Moriarty.

Kismis ko Biskun has been directed by veteran artist Harihar Sharma, and was translated into Nepali by Dr Padam Devkota.

The play revolves around the African-American Younger family and their life during the 1950s Chicago. The play shows the financial crisis they are facing and deals with the realities of life of the poor, their sufferings and sacrifices. But even though they are facing such hardships, all of them are quite optimistic as their life is soon to change. They are to receive a cheque worth $10,000 from their deceased father’s life insurance. Each member has his/her own desires to fulfil with that money. And thus the story proceeds.

The play is not only about the poor, their poverty and their dreams, but also about racial discrimination. It explores how the so-called upper class tries to take advantage of the down trodden communities, exploiting their weaknesses and allures them even to the point of selling their dignity. It is about the difficult choices and preferences the suppressed have to make while overcoming obstacles.

Shakuntala Sharma plays the role of Mama Younger, the head of the family. Her family comprises Shailendra Simkhada, her son who is trying to start a new business to supports his family and give his child everything. He has a very loving and supportive wife, played by Rekha Thapa, and their son Travis is played by Saroj Basnet. Mama Younger’s daughter, who aspires to be a doctor, is played by Dipa Pandey. Ramesh Adhikari, Tej Kumar Basnet, Jeevan Sathi Basnet and Kumar Bista are the other actors in the play.

The play will be staged from March 22 to 25 at 3:30 pm at Nepal Academy Hall.