A contemporary dramatic take on a 4,000-year-old Sanskrit epic that
is foundational to Indian culture. The Mahabharata is a pivotal
text in Indian culture, and there is no shortage of English
translations. But dramatic renderings have been few and incomplete.
Toronto’s Why Not Theatre is remedying this with a
once-in-a-generation contemporary translation and dramatization;
seven hours long, with a traditional Indian meal (Khana) in the
middle, the premiere performance features an all–South Asian
cast. With warring clans and devious revenge, the Mahabharata tells
the story of an ancient family feud with philosophical and
spiritual themes that are no less urgent today: In times of
division, how do we find wholeness? Are we destined to repeat the
mistakes of our ancestors? Can we build a new world? Contains the
full text of the play alongside interviews with the creators,
historical context for the epic, a glossary, and a genealogy. "Ravi
Jain and Miriam Fernandes’s contemporary take on the Mahabharata
is one of the most beautiful emotional journeys I have had the
privilege to witness. It is inspiring, mind broadening, and speaks
to all the senses. It even brings you back to the origins of
theatre itself, when people would gather in the quarries around a
bonfire to tell stories. With their tasteful use of technology,
dance, and opera, the 4,000-year-old Sanskrit poem comes to life
and feels more universal than ever. A captivating theatre
experience, from the first flame to the last pixel." – Robert
Lepage "In their stunning rendition of the great Indian epic
Mahabharata, Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes brilliantly reverse the
whole concept of what Bertolt Brecht famously advised theatre
directors: to make the familiar, unfamiliar. Jain and Fernandes
have turned the unfamiliar into the familiar. The 4,000-year-old
saga most Indians grew up with is made accessible to a contemporary
audience the world over. No mean feat. ‘The play, true to its
source, crosses all boundaries of culture, class, and geography.
Its timeless storytelling and evocative stage design is transformed
into a saga for the world, with its fundamental emotions of human
nature – power, hate, jealousy, greed, and lust. To be
gob-smacked by this innovation would be an understatement. Immerse
yourself in this take on the Mahabharata and travel with it in time
into the past, present, and future of humanity." – Deepa Mehta
General
Imprint: |
Coach House Books
|
Country of origin: |
Canada |
Release date: |
September 2023 |
Authors: |
Miriam Fernandes
• Ravi Jain
|
Dimensions: |
215 x 139mm (L x W) |
Pages: |
208 |
ISBN-13: |
978-1-55245-475-6 |
Categories: |
Books
|
LSN: |
1-55245-475-4 |
Barcode: |
9781552454756 |
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