With its interplay of emotions, complexities of human relationships and man’s perennial dilemma between karma and dharma, the Mahabharata has inspired many interpretations in popular media. Delhi-based writer-director Atul Satya Koushik’s Chakravyuh is one such production that uses the battle of Kuruskshetra as an allegory to depict modern man’s existential angst. The play, which premiered three years ago and has staged over 60 shows, returns in a new avatar this weekend. The story is set during the 13th day of the Kurukshetra battle when Arjun’s son Abhimanyu enters the chakravyuh to fight the Kauravas. Here, chakravyuh not just refers to the traditional form of war craft but also represents the philosophical questions of life. Written and performed in the form of verses, the plot explores the concepts of karma and dharma.
Rediscovering the epic
Talking about the new additions in the play, Koushik says, “The set is bigger, better and grander. The costumes have been revamped. Earlier, the characters were dressed in minimalist costumes but now they will be seen in flamboyant outfits. This will give viewers a cinema-like experience. We thought it was time to upgrade the production. We have also added two more scenes, one of which transpires between Duryodhan and Krishna.”
Popular television and film actor Nitish Bharadwaj, who shot to fame with his portrayal of Lord Krishna in B.R. Chopra’s tele-serial Mahabharata 25 years ago, essays the same role in this play too. However, he mentions that it would be unfair to compare both the roles. “When I played Krishna on TV, my life was in a different stage, so I understood Lord Krishna in a different way, which was restricted only to the story of Kauravas and Pandavas. For me, the whole purpose of doing Chakravyuh was to rediscover Krishna and make him more relevant in today’s times. My biggest concern was would the audience accept him the way I perceive him to be. There are many aspects of modern life hidden within the script of Mahabharata which I have unearthed through Krishna in this play.”
New material
It was on Bharadwaj’s suggestion that Koushik included the two new scenes in the production. The actor explains, “Earlier, there were no scenes between Duryodhan and Krishna. But I wanted to include it in order to portray a new aspect of Duryodhan’s personality. Duryodhan and Dhritarashtra always held others responsible for what happened in their lives. Dhritarashtra blamed everything on his blindness and destiny and Duryodhan blamed everyone else but himself. Most of us have a similar attitude in life. I wanted to highlight why only we are responsible for our actions and the significance of self-introspection.” The second is a scene that explores Abhimanyu and Krishna’s relationship. “Abhimanyu knew that once he entered the chakravyuh, it would be impossible for him to come out of it. Yet, he took that step. There are reasons for it and the scene depicts it beautifully,” says Bharadwaj
Koushik says that Bharadwaj was ideal for the role as he has become synonymous with Krishna’s character. “Today, if we close our eyes and imagine Krishna, Nitish’s image would be the first one that comes to our mind. When B.R. Chopra’s Mahabharata was telecast, Nitish made a permanent impression on us with his depiction of Krishna. After that, many actors played the same role, but no one made the same impact,” he says.
The director, who has earlier helmed plays like Raavan ki Ramayan and Draupadi , admits that he has always been fascinated with history. “We can never disassociate ourselves from history and I wanted to bring out newer interpretations from that which has been told to us over the years. The play tells the story of Mahabharata from the perspective of Krishna who passes on the eternal message of karma and says no one has ever been able to come out of their respective chakravyuh. Our dharma is to fight in the chakravyuh and getting out of it is the result of karma, over which we have no control. No one has ever been able to come out of the chakravyuh of life and death.”
Chakravyuh will be staged today at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Rangsharda Auditorium, Bandra
