Play Mahabharata

The premiere of play “Legend of the great descendants of Bharata” based on the ancient epic Mahabharata took place in the Kyrgyz Drama Theatre, Bishkek on 3 May 2016.

The epic Mahabharata is one of the largest epics in the world, written in Sanskrit language, made up of about 100,000 Shlokas couplets (Shlokas), i.e. with 200,000 verse lines. The plot of the epic Mahabharata is somewhere around 1000 years ago BC, and the epic was written around 5th century BC. The storyline of the epic mainly focuses on the fight between cousins Kauravas and Pandavas.

Due to richness and diversity of content, the epic is called encyclopedia of ancient Indian life. It reflects the profound philosophy of Indian people and ideas of valor and heroism, the censure of selfishness and praising selflessness.

The epic is still part of everyday life. Most of the vocabulary in today’s use come from this epic. Even today, all the places which are mentioned in Mahabharata exist in the Indian subcontinent. Some places bear the same name. The battlefield was Kurukshetra. Even today the city is named the same. And some of the heroes from Mahabharat are known to everybody - Lord Krishna, Gita. In the play one can find the origin of the book Gita. On the battle field, Arjuna, a hero from Pandavas, gets emotional and wants to give up fight. At that time Lord Krishna tells him the essence of life etc., this is – what is Gita.

The play is a joint production of the Embassy of India in Bishkek and the Kyrgyz Drama Theatre. It was a historic moment in the cultural relations between India and Kyrgyzstan. For the first time among the countries of Central Asian countries, the epic was staged in the state language.

Great acting, scenery, costumes and music created the atmosphere of ancient India. An invaluable contribution to the production was made by: Director of the Kyrgyz drama theatre Temirlan Smanbekov, Director of the play Shamil Dyikanbaev, Art Director Marat Kozukeev Script writer Altynai Temirova, Artist-scenographer Sadyr Niyazgulov, Costume designer Madina Tapaeva.

The premiere was attended by the Kyrgyz dignitaries, Minister of Culture, Information and Tourism Mr. Altynbek Maksutov, Chairman of the Committee of Parliament on Social Affairs, Education, Science, Culture and Health Mr. Sher Niyaz and Founder of the Issyk Kul Forum, Mr. Askar Aitmatov.

During his speech, Ambassador of India H.E. Mr. Jayant Khobragade thanked all who participated in the organization and production of the play and dedicated this event to the Year of Culture and History of the Kyrgyz Republic.