CANFEST-2024 | Day 8 NAAGMANDAL (Hindi)
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DRAMA: NAAGMANDAL
PLAYWRIGHT: Girish Karnad
GROUP: Black Pearl Arts, Delhi
DIRECTOR: Satyabrat Rout
LANGUAGE: Hindi
DURATION: 120 Mins
DRAMA - NAAGMANDAL
The play Naagmandal, crafted by Girish Karnad, intricately explores the theme of identity crisis and primal human instincts, emphasizing the significant role played by the alternation of day and night. The narrative centres around Rani, a young woman with dreams, who, upon marrying Apanna, discovers herself confined within the four walls of the home. Apanna, her husband, locks her away, devoting most of his time to a concubine, subjecting Rani to isolation and fear. His consistently harsh behaviour restricts her freedom and prohibits any inquiry.
In search of a solution, Rani befriends a blind elderly woman from the village through the window. Following the woman’s counsel, Rani attempts to win Apanna’s affection by preparing an herbal medicine mixed with milk, as provided by the blind woman. The mixture turns red and overflows.
Out of fear, Rani disposes of the residue under a banyan tree, unwittingly attracting a king cobra from an ant-hole. The snake becomes enamoured with Rani, transforming into the likeness of Apanna at night and expressing love.
Upon discovering her pregnancy, Rani eagerly anticipates sharing the news with her husband. Rani faces brutal accusations and physical assault from her husband. Apanna threatens to take her to the village court. On the subsequent night, the snake informs Rani of the ordeal she will face. He (the snake) reveals that the village elders will compel her to disclose the truth by holding a hot iron rod which she must deny. Instead, she must insist upon telling the truth by holding the snake at the ant-hill. If she tells a lie, the snake bounds to bite her.
When the village gathers, undeterred by the imminent challenge, Rani boldly holds the snake, truthfully recounting her encounters. She reveals that- She has come into physical contact with only two male beings since arriving in this village – her husband and, secondly, this black king cobra. If this statement is false, then she invites the snake to bite her.
To the utter astonishment of the villagers, the snake envelops her protectively. The villagers, perceiving her as a goddess, implore Apanna to worship her and spend the rest of his life in her care. The story concludes with an air of ambiguity, leaving the fate of the characters unresolved.