natyaayudh's new production ...Tagore's CHANDALIKA

Chandalika is a tale of a young girl, Prakriti who is born to an "untouchable" caste, or the Chandalis and is thus shunned by those around her - even the local vendors will not sell her flowers or bangles. Chandalika is bewildered and hurt at first and then becomes filled with fury and rages at the injustice. As she cries in isolation and humiliation, a wandering and thirsty Buddhist monk (Ananda) approaches her and asks for water. Chandalika refuses, explaining that she is "untouchable" and even the water from her well is impure and society forbids her to serve water to any higher individual such as the monk. The monk explains that all humans are created equal and asks her not to judge by the artificial standards of the unjust society. She offers him water and Ananda proceeds on his journey This encounter transforms Chandalika, she is filled with love and admiration for Ananda. She desperately yearns for his return. What follows is her request to the mother, Maya to get Ananda back to her.
Ananda's request, "Give me water," besides indicating his physical need symbolizes water's regenerative image common in many religious traditions Through the universal image of water, Tagore intertwines the ideological revolution reflected in the social, religious, and political scene of his own time. In our times, when religious strife and discrimination have become a source of global conflict, the central theme of the play becomes even more poignant.