Divided into five scenes, Khariko Ghero presented two intertwined stories against a war setting.[break]
The first is the story of Gita, a palace maid played by Pashupati Rai, who steals the baby prince, Manohar, for his protection against the traitors who have beheaded the king and stirred up a revolution. The materialistic queen leaves Manohar behind in the chaos of the burning city, and Gita steps in to protect the prince. She runs away from the city and gets married unwillingly, waiting for her man, Sundar, a soldier gone to war. When they meet, both are distraught when she fails to clear off a misunderstanding that is obvious in the play.
The second episode is the story of Akkal Bahadur (Sunil Pokharel), a drunkard rogue who is appointed judge through some comical and coincidental quirks. He passes nonsensical judgments without consideration of the law, but always in favor of the poor.
In the concluding scene, a trial is set between Gita and the queen, both claiming the custody of Manohar. A chalk circle is drawn as a test. Akkal announces that the one who pulls the child out of the circle will be declared his real mother. All ends well when Gita proves herself to be the better mother, and even gets a signed divorce letter from the judge to pursue her true love.
Directed by Max Webster and Mia Theil Have, the play gave Nepali audience a different taste. As much for the passionate performances by the actors, the play’s choreography, lightings and props played their role in transforming it into an extravaganza. The music and songs played by the band Night, onstage throughout the play, made it a success.
The choreography could have been much better, though. In some scenes like Sundar proposing to Radha, or when the lovers are united, the choreography is not able to capture the feelings of their heightened emotions; rather, it sets as a drawback.
Besides Pashupati Rai as Gita and Sunil Pokharel as Akkal Bahadur who stand out in their leading roles, Rajkumar Pudasaini, Kamal Mani Aryal, and Sarita Giri exquisitely carry out each of their multi roles.
Along with the sentimental scenes, the play is full of humor and satire. One-liners such as “Junge Maryo?” (Is Junge dead?) by Sarita Giri in one marginal role has the audience pealing with laughter. “Ma khanchhu!”(I eat) spoken by Akkal Bahadur the judge, stretching out his palm for bribe at every trial, is another one-liner that is both humorous and satirical.
The play, well over two hours, may seem stretched at some points before the intermission, but it keeps you captivated till the end for you to enjoy the masterpiece, despite its imperfections.
The play will resume at the venue from April 6 until May 1.
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