Hyderabad designer ganesh nallari’s play ‘shikhandi’ bats for gender sensitivity

“To be queer is not an accident; it is by design. God created Queer people. I wanted the audience to understand this, rather than judge or comment on a a person’s gender,” Says Hyderabad-Based Designer and theater artist ganesh nallari. He recently directed and produced ShikhandiA 12-minute play inspired by the character from the Mahabharata.

Ahead of World Theater Day (March 27), Ganesh Highlights How Society has long ignored gender dysphoria and identity politics, whereas the mahabharata addressed them with nuance. ,Shikhandi was born to challenge toxic masculinity, elevating not just women but also transgender individuals – from beautiful seen as mere commodities to people with purpose. Shikhandi is a karana janmaA life with intent. “

In the Mahabharata, Shikhandi is a reincarnation of princess amba, who was abducted by Bhishma. Reborn as Drupada’s Daughter, Shikhandini, She undergoes a sex change, fights in the kurukshetra war, and plays a Pivotal Role in Bhishma’s Downfall.

A trained kuchipudi dancer, ganesh debated in theater in 2012 with Mudra – The Silent GestureA Deeply Personal ‘Coming out’ Story. Since then, His Occasional Theatre Ventures have Often Explred Queer Themes.

A complex story in 12 minutes

A Scene from ‘Shikhandi’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Shikhandi, a Lesser-KNOWN Character in the EPIC, Had Long Intrigued Ganesh. “I wanted to train as a a theater writer and director before taking on this story. When a contest opportunity arose (skits by dramanon hyderabad), I was ready.” The challenge? The play had to be under 12 minutes. “Condensing such a complex story was tough,” He admits.

Ganesh read extended and referred to devdutt pattanaik’s Shikhandi: And other tales they do’t tell youAdmaring Its Clarity. To Introduce Younger Audiences Unfamiliar with Shikhandi’s Story, He Structured The Play With An Opening Discussion on Gender, Reference Shiva-Shakti and Vishnu-Mohini. “The line ‘I am he, him, and everything in between’ sets the stage before we explore Amba’s past life, death, reburth, self-respect, and reviews,” He Explains.

Simple Yet Impactful

Ganesh Nallari, Laharika Reddy Sama in ‘Shikhandi’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Ganesh focused on making the written accessible. “In Telugu or Sanskrit plays, you can weave in shlokas And take a different approach. But for a short English play, the language had to be simple, bold, and related. “

A Scene where Amba vents her frustration after rejections have a touch of sarcasm, but ganesh avoided overplaying it for comedic effect. He also Grappled with Choosing which version of shikhandi’s story to present. “There are variations – One Javanese (Indonesian) Account even sugges shikhandi was briefly married to arjuna. There is also also different interpretings of the garland given by karthiyya. recognized Indian version. “

Ganesh played the sutradhar (Narrator) and Several Significant Brief Parts, While Laharika Reddy Sama Played Amba and the title character. Ganesh handled the costumes and set design. Costumes came from his personal wardrobe, with additional outfits designed by his studio. Props were repurposed to keep costs low.

Shikhandi was the runner-up for ‘best original script’ and second runner-up for ‘Audience Choice Best Play’ at Dramanon Hyderabad’s Skits Contest, Held recently. Beyond the Awards, Ganesh Found it gratifying that audience members left wanting to know more about shikhandi’s story. He hopes to develop it into a full-length play in the life future.