Madhavi, a deeply moving and powerful women-centric play, is inspired by the Mahabharata. The play traces the life of Madhavi, daughter of King Yayati—a woman who strives to find her identity through sacrifice, perseverance, and the constraints imposed by society. In the story, sage Galav, a disciple of Vishwamitra, promises to give his guru 800 white horses with black ears, suitable for the Ashwamedha ritual, as guru Dakshina. Madhavi dedicates herself to assist in this seemingly impossible task. She is blessed with the ability to regain her virginity even after bearing children. Galav then gives her to three kings, each of whom bears a son, and Galav continues to receive horses. After wandering between three kings and enduring immense physical and mental pain, Madhavi finally realizes that society has treated both her soul and her existence like a commodity. Ultimately, she renounces the world and heads for the forest, where her silent renunciation becomes a symbol of a woman’s suffering and self-respect.

Writer

Bhisham Sahni – born in 1915 in Rawalpindi, in undivided Punjab – was a Hindi writer, playwright, and academician. From 1956-63 he worked as a Hindi translator at the Foreign Languages Publishing House in Moscow. On his return to India, he resumed Lectureship at Delhi University, edited the reputed literary magazine Nai Kahaniyan from 1965-67, and was associated with several organizations like IPTA, the All-India Progressive Writers Association, the Afro-Asian Writers’ Association, and the Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust – ‘Sahmat.’ He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1998 and Sahitya Akademi Fellowship in 2002.

Director:

Abhishek Sharma is a postgraduate from the Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University, Chandigarh is an Actor, Director, and Light Designer, working with various theatre groups in Chandigarh. In 2018, he founded Parampara Arts (Cultural Society), through which he has presented over 700 street play performances on diverse social themes. He has also conducted numerous theatre workshops in the slum areas of Chandigarh, using theatre as a tool for social awareness and community engagement. He has directed plays like Aadhe Adhure, Madhavi, Namak ka Daroga, Gagan Damama Bajeyo, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, Paanchwan Parantha, Shankh‐Naad, Takseem, Nok Jhonk, Hiranyakashyap Murder Case, Kabira Khada Bazaar Mein, Deep Daan, and Agra-Leela, among others. He is also the Founder and Curator of the annual theatre festival “Rang Parampara,” and serves as a Member of the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) at the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and as an Advisory Member at the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). He is currently associated with the Tagore Theatre Society, Chandigarh, as Director, Tagore Theatre.

Director’s Note

“Madhavi” is not just a story from the Mahabharata, but a tale of sacrifice, duty, and the price a woman must pay in the face of societal ambitions. When Bhisham Sahni rewrote this ancient tale with a modern perspective, he gave voice to a woman who, despite being a victim of circumstances, maintains her dignity. As a director, what attracted me most to Madhavi’s character was her strength and the depth of her silence. In this production, we have attempted to express her inner struggle, her emotions, and her self-acceptance through music, expressions, and dialogue.

Group:

Founded in 2018, “Parampara Arts (a cultural organization)” aims to promote theatre and performing arts among youth. It has successfully organized six theatre festivals between 2018-2024. The organization has also contributed significantly to the cultural life of Chandigarh and surrounding areas by producing short films, documentaries, and a light and sound show. In addition to theatrical activities, it has organized theatre workshops in slum areas of Chandigarh, organized blood donation camps for thalassemia patients, and, in collaboration with the Tri-City Administration (Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula), presented powerful street plays on topics such as cleanliness, waste segregation, and cybercrime awareness. Parampara Arts is empanelled with the Song and Drama Division and actively engages in social awareness productions and community events.