A Classic and one of the best plays of Indian literature is ‘ Abhigyan Shakunthalam ’ by Kalidasa . And on June 1, 2024, as part of the ‘ Summer Theatre Festival ’, National School of Drama presented a brilliant rendition of the play. The play opens with a classic presentation, with traditional music and tunes, setting a historic and cultural tone for the audience.
The play starts with a Shankhnaad (conch blow) and a beautiful and powerful presentation of Shiv Tandav. The play begins with a discussion on how Kalidasa portrayed the plight and oppression of women in his time, and was brave enough to name his play after the female protagonist, Shakuntala. And the audience is then transported to lush, serene forests, where Shakuntala is seen frolicking and playing with her friends.
This scene is disrupted by King Dushyanta , who is captivated by her beauty, and hides behind a tree to catch a glimpse of her. He tries to hold her back, but a shy Shakunthala runs away. Eventually, their paths cross again when Shakuntala, while watering plants, gets injured as her friends scatter in fear of an approaching elephant.
King Dushyanta steps in to help her, and their love blossoms in the forest where they first saw each other. King Dushyanta was so enchanted with Shakunthala and her beauty that he ignored his royal duties for the time and chose to stay at the Ashram with her. The couple's love story advances, and eventually, Dushyanta and Shakuntala get married.
The witnesses to th.
