Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, July 13: Ahata Murchana, a drama based on the life of a transgender, was staged by Orissa Natak Samaroha Samiti at Rabindra Mandap here Saturday.
The play was performed as part of the ‘Natyadhara’ festival organised by the state department of culture in association with Orissa Sangeet Natak Akademi and Orissa Natya Sangha.
Written by Rabi Narayan Behera and directed by Raju Padhy, the play was widely appreciated by the audience for its strong social message.
The play tells the story of a transgender, who is abandoned by his family soon after his birth. He is claimed by a group of transgenders in the city who attempt to raise him as one of their own, but his family then undergoes a ‘change of heart’ soon after, and brings him back home. That is when the sufferings of the protagonist begin.
The transgender’s parents attempt to raise him as a male child, and is put through mental suffering as he is kept at a distance by society and is starved of the normal life and opportunities that are available to all.
Subrat Patnaik, Aarti Patnaik and Jayanti Mishra essayed the lead roles, and were accompanied by seven other artistes in supporting roles.
“All of the characters are scarred in some way or the other and seek social acceptance and recognition. The play attempts to portray the dark side of society which refuses to give equal rights and opportunities to transgenders and forces them into a life of misery and oppression,” said Raju Padhy.