Kathmandu:

The name Ghanachhakar itself suggests that this is a play, which is not going to be simple and it holds quite true for Sunil Pokhrel’s latest directorial venture. The play is based on Sanjeev Uprety’s latest novel Ghanachakkar. This play does not confirm to the usual style that is evident in Pokhrel’s plays. Unlike most of his plays in which the dialogues are straight-forward this one is very abstract. As Pokhrel said, “This is the most difficult and expensive play I have directed till now. To bring a novel in the form of a play was really difficult and I have used an experimental approach.”

The play depicts the life of a lecturer who is burdened by his job and the political changes that are rampantly taking over the country. The story revolves around the people he meets, various experiences he has and his psychological traumas. And it is an individual who is searching for sanity amidst all the chaos that is happening around the country. The way society sees him and the realisations he has. The play has captured a lot of issues in it. It is not only an individual’s but a nation’s story that were interestingly intertwined together in this play.

With elaborate sets, musical improvisations and clippings of the Jana Andolan II, fine lighting the play has a newness to it. Even the actors have successfully brought their respective characters into life with an authentic touch by giving the required accents and natural performance.

According to the writer, Sanjeev Uprety, though a novel and play are two different forms and it is quite challenging, Pokhrel has successfully carried it out. “This is not just about a person’s madness but a nation’s madness as well,” he said.

The lead characters of the play Salil Subedi ‘Kanika’ and Bijay Bisfot shared their experiences too. “It was amazing how Sunil Pokhrel formed such a cohesive play out of such an absurd storyline,” said Subedi. “I could use all my skills in this play and the instruments I used itself became an extension of my character,” he added.

While Bisfot said, “We ourselves had become a ghanachakkar’when we first read the book. Since the book was already famous and people had huge expectations from it we were a bit afraid.” And talking about portraying Uprety he said, “Even when I tried to leave his character traits behind and use a different approach somehow it did come up,” he added.

The play was staged at Gurukul on January 22 and will continue till March 15 at 4.30 pm, except on Mondays.