Jaipur. Rang Mastane will present a stage production of the acclaimed Hindi play From the Last Ray of the Sun to the First Ray of the Sun by renowned playwright Surendra Verma. The production is being directed by young theatre artist and Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Abhishek Mudgal.
Written in 1972, the play is regarded as one of the most significant works of Hindi theatre. Raising profound questions about Indian society, power, women’s identity and moral values, the play remains as relevant today as it was when it was written.
Set against the backdrop of the ancient Malla kingdom in the 10th century, the story revolves around King Okak, who is childless. His impotence is the biggest secret of the royal palace, but with time, the crisis begins to threaten the future of the entire kingdom. The absence of an heir raises the danger of invasions by neighbouring states and the eventual collapse of royal power.
To safeguard the kingdom and preserve the royal lineage, the royal council decides to revive the ancient practice of Niyoga. Under this arrangement, King Okak is compelled to send his beloved wife, Queen Sheelvati, to spend a night with another man so that the kingdom can have an heir. The decision becomes not merely a political necessity but the greatest personal and emotional crisis in the lives of both the king and queen.
Queen Sheelvati deeply loves her husband and considers marriage to be a bond of trust, devotion and spiritual love, rather than merely a physical relationship. The order to undergo Niyoga therefore becomes a deep assault on her self-respect, womanhood and marital commitment. At the same time, King Okak is portrayed as a man torn between helplessness, guilt and love. He does not want to lose his wife, yet he is forced to surrender to the inhuman decision in the larger interest of the kingdom and its people.
The play reaches its most significant turning point when the night of Niyoga ceases to be merely a formal process for producing an heir and instead becomes the beginning of a new awakening within Queen Sheelvati. For the first time, she begins to view her own existence, desires and rights as a woman from a different perspective. This leads her to question power, morality, marriage, love and women’s freedom. The king, queen and royal council are each forced to confront their own moral dilemmas, compelling the audience to reflect on whether society and the state can claim authority over an individual’s body and desires, particularly those of a woman.
From the Last Ray of the Sun to the First Ray of the Sun is not merely a historical tale but a profound exploration of patriarchy, women’s identity, love, power, morality, marital relationships and individual freedom. With its powerful language, impactful dialogues and psychological depth, the play is considered one of the most celebrated works of Hindi theatre and has been successfully staged at several prestigious theatres across the country.
The production will feature Jhilmil Dua, Vivek Jakhar, Apoorva, Yashvani Sharma, Rishabh, Bhupendra, Roshik and Amit Chaudhary in various key roles. Through this production, Rang Mastane aims to bring a timeless classic of Hindi theatre before contemporary audiences with a fresh perspective and a sensitive theatrical presentation.