Stage Ensemble Theater Unit (SETU) will present a dramatization of the Mahabharata, the world’s longest and most complex epic in four shows scheduled at the Arsenal Center for Arts in Watertown, MA on Friday September 7th at 7 pm, Saturday, September 8th at 2 pm and 7 pm, and Sunday, September 9th at 6 pm. Tickets are available at http://www.eventedge.biz/mb and http://setumahabharata.eventbrite.com.

The core of Mahabharata is a feud between two dynasties over a throne that ended up in a war. So grand was the scale of destruction resulting from the war that often it is metaphorically compared with a modern-day nuclear holocaust. Mahabharata is not a work of religious instruction. It is much greater; it is a work of art. Political, philosophical, and socio-cultural messages of Mahabharata remain universal and timeless.

The script for the play is adapted from works of Peter Brook/Jean-Claude Carrier, Rabindranath Tagore and Syed Iman. With 100,000 poetic verses, composed almost 5000 years ago in 18 books, and about 8 times the length of combined Iliyad and Odyssey. SETU is using Indian tradition of Sutradhars (Narrators) who would connect various episodes from the great epic to create a thorough experience of the play.

Subrata Das, the play's director, Ajay Jain playing Lord Krishna, one of the most important characters of Mahabharata epic, spoke to Shuchita Rao about their upcoming play.

Q1. Mahabharata is an epic of great complexity. Are you portraying the entire story or specific parts of it in your upcoming play?

Subrata: Yes, you are right. Mahabharata is not only very complex but the sheer length makes it impossible for audience to grasp it in one show.  Hence, we are portraying only the major events of Mahabharata and using the traditional sutradhars (narrators) to connect the story between two scenes.

Ajay: In fact, when we announced 4 shows, lot of people asked us if we were showing entire Mahabharata over 4 shows or it would be 4 shows of the same play.

Q2. How did you come up with the idea of making a play in English?

Subrata: SETU has been staging English plays since its inception in 2003. Our mission is to build bridges between Indian and Western cultures through the medium of theater.

Check out our mission statement at www.setu.us.

Q3. When did you start working on this idea? Who wrote the script?

Subrata: We always wanted to present Mahabharata to the audience in Boston. In fact, our first attempt to stage Mahabharata was back in 2003 but it was too much as our first production. This time around we started in February. Most of the casting was done then and we started the rehearsals in bits and pieces from March as we knew that there were going to be interruptions due to summer vacation.
The script is an ensemble of works from Jean-Claude Carrier (translated by Peter Brook) and Rabindranath Tagore.

Q4.  Who is the director of the play? What kind of prior experience does he/she have in directing plays?

Ajay: The director is Subrata Das, a theatre enthusiast originally from Kolkata. Subrata founded SETU in 2003 with a few of his friends. In past, Subrata co-directed Vijay Tendulker's Kamala where he also played the lead role (journalist Jaisingh). Kamala was staged many times between 2003 and 2005, including once in Harvard University. Subrata also directed Girish Karnad's Hayavadana and acted as Kapila in the play. Most recently Subrata directed Rape, Regret and Retribution, which was also written by him. The play has been published and is now available at Amazon.com. Currently, he also working on a short film again based on his own script Capitalistic Indulgence.

Q5. How long is the play and how many actors will participate in the play?

Subrata: The duration of the play is about 2 hrs 30 min with a 20 min intermission. There are 23 characters and 2 narrators. Few of actors are playing double roles in the play. Besides actors, we also have additional crew of 7 members and many actors are also involved in lots of backstage/production work including costumes, sets, publicity etc.

Q6. How did you find suitable actors for the roles?

Subrata: We had a core group of actors from our previous plays. Rest we recruited once we announced the play. You’d be surprised how many great actors are there in Boston area ready to show their hidden talents. For many of the actors this this their first time as an actor.

Q7. Are you planning on using any special effects such as creative lighting etc. in the performance?

Subrata: Yes, there will be some use of creative lighting based on the availability of lights in the auditorium and our limited budget.

Q8. What is your role in the play? What has the experience been like to participate in the practice sessions?

Ajay: I’m playing Krishna in the play. Initially, I wanted to play Karna, as he happens to be one of my favorite characters in Mahabharata. Subrata insisted that I play Krishna and I’m happy that he insisted on it. I’m now really enjoying the role of Krishna. Besides, my friend Alok Bhaskar, a wonderful actor is doing a great job as Karna. Acting is my passion and when you are part of a play that has such a huge cast, it is even more fun each of our rehearsals were like picnic. Besides, you get an opportunity to learn from senior actors like Ashish Brahma, Parbati Brahma Jayanti Bandyopadhyay Sridhar Pola and Sanjay Jain and I must add that the enthusiasm and the energy that the younger actors like Alok, Abhishek, Anurag Dhanashree,Gagan, Harun Malini, Paromita, just to name a few brings to such an endeavor is really contagious.

Q9. How does it feel as you gear up for the upcoming performances in first week of September?

Ajay: I’m always excited and nervous before a show, more so on the first night. The Arsenal Center of Arts has a very intimate setting. I’ve not seen the stage yet but I’m told that the audience sits very close to the actors and every tiny movement on your face is visible. I hope my experience in street theater back in Kolkata will come handy 

Q10. Do you plan on taking the play to other US cities and perhaps to other countries?

Subrata: There is no immediate plan but we definitely can explore that after our shows here in Boston. I’m sure the cast and crew would love that. Right now our focus is on September 7th to 9th and by grace of God or should I say Krishna, we do expect all 4 shows to be sold out.

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