The Nepali adaptation of acclaimed Indian playwright Dharamvir Bharati’s play Andha Yug (The Age of Darkness) is currently being staged at Mandala Theatre in Kathmandu. Translated into Nepali by Rajendra Shalabh and directed by Sudeep Khatiwada, the production explores the social, political and human crises that emerged in the aftermath of the Mahabharat.

According to director Khatiwada, the play uses the ancient Mahabharata narrative to examine contemporary issues including violence, power struggles, revenge and moral dilemmas. Interestingly, Khatiwada first entered the theatre world as an actor through the same play around 11 years ago. Having performed in the production as an actor at the time, he has now returned to it as its director. Khatiwada said the current production attempts to connect the decades-old work with contemporary audiences and present it through a new theatrical approach.

Presented by Mandala Theatre, ‘The Age of Darkness’ focuses on the violence, revenge, political power, moral conflict and human responsibility that persist after a war has ended. The production also examines the consequences of war on both the victors and the defeated. The play features Sabina Chaudhary, Kamal Regmi, Rajaram Gautam, Jinlab Dorje Bamsan, Abhushan Ghimire, Milan Pant, Indra Kumar Limbu, Zoheb Shah, Sujit Malla Thakuri, Samana Rai, Vijay Dong, Saugan Shrestha, Raju Shrestha, Nitya Paudel, Bishwajit Dhakal, Manumit Lepcha, Ghaman Shahi, Aarti Baruwal, Sunita Rai, Kumar Lama, Surendra Bishwokarma, Sujata Rai, Abhishek Khatriwada, Sampada Lakandri and Sujal Koirala.

The music for the production has been composed and performed by Saurav Chalise, Salina Bik, Jeevan Rai and Kumar Lama. ‘The Age of Darkness’ will continue its run at Mandala Theatre through Aug 30.