Mohan Rakesh Natya Samharo starts with a book launch

Delhi Government's art and culture wing Sahitya Kala Parishad, which promotes Indian art and culture, is back with their annual theatre festival 'Mohan Rakesh Natya Samaroh'. It started on November 11, 2019 and will continue until November 14, 2019 at Kamani Auditorium, Mandi House.

Talking about the festival, Manish Sisodia, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, said, "It is a matter of immense joy that the event is being organised by Sahitya Kala Parishad, Delhi. In addition to honouring the playwrights of four dramatics selected for the ceremony, these plays are also being organised by reputed theatre directors. For this event that encourages original Hindi theatrical writing, along with Sahitya Kala Parishad Delhi, I extend my heartiest congratulations to the respected theatrical artists and the participating directors."

First day of the ceremony started with a lamp lighting session followed by a book launch of Natya Tarang. The evening continued with Mohan Rakesh's award-winning play Krita by Dr Sanjeev Kumar and directed by Sanjay Upadhayay. Krita is about a cruel chapter of sexual exploitation of Devadasis in the name of Devopasana. The play opposes the practice Devadasis followed in the shadow of religion. It was one of the forms of body trade during the ancient age knows as the 'devadasi system'. Young poor girls were cut off from society and were sent to worship and serve a deity or a temple, in the guise of dances, sexual remorse. Devadasi is a name given to a group of women who danced in the temples. The performance showcase how these devadasis stood against this stereotypical practice and fought for the dignity and identity of their existence with the support of retired soldiers of Padma and Kapila Nagar.

Some of the main characters like Punno, Kapalika, Padma brought alive the cruel practice on stage.

Co-directed by Vikas Bahari, the play sent out a strong message to all women of society to step out of the hideous societal chaos and give voice to their identity.