Birati Samuho Performers Collective, a Kolkata-based troupe that aims to redefine folk narratives with modern sensibilities, brings two mythological tales to Bengaluru, each told from the perspective of its often-sidelined female protagonists. With Atho Hidimba Kotha and Bhasaili Re..
. , audiences will get to hear the unfiltered voices of Hidimba, a fierce tribal woman from the Mahabharata, and Behula, a devoted wife from Bengal’s mediaeval lore. Through these feminist retellings, the collective reclaims stories of survival, strength, and rebellion — stories that, despite their ancient origins, strike a chord in today’s world.
“A lot of these narratives are rooted in traumatic oppression but also hold stories of survival and alternative possibilities,” says Titas Dutta, founder and director of Birati Samuho. For Titas, who brings more than a decade of theatre-making experience, Atho Hidimba Kotha offers a rare perspective on the Mahabharata by centering on Hidimba, a character often relegated to the margins. In contrast, Bhasaili Re.
.. allows Behula from the mediaeval Bengali saga Manasa Mangal Kavya to reflect on her journey through a modern, feminist lens.
Still from ‘Bhasaili Re...
’ | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement These plays are more than reinterpretations, according to Titas. They act as mirrors, reflecting contemporary societal struggles by challenging deeply rooted, often limiting traditions. They are also intentionally crafted in Bengali, staying clo.
