MAHABHOJ | महाभाेज | Theatrical Play by Mandala Theatre | Directed by Anup Baral- 2019

Mahabhoj is a Mandala Theatre-Nepal production play adapted from the same-name novel written by Mannu Bhandari. It tells the story of a recently murdered young activist and how his murder gets politicized. The play portrays how seasonal politicians carefully play the game of politics amidst this murder - influence media and police in order to get favorable outcome. It shows cheap politicians using public sentiment to drive votes. Though written some 4o years ago in India, yet it feels more real and close resemblance with contemporary Nepali politics.
In the very start of the play, Biseser, one of the villagers, referred to affectionately as Bisoo, has been found dead. The rest of the play deals with the politician's attempts at finding out the murderer, while vying for the villagers' votes.
The play sympathizes to the characters whose voice does not get heard and becomes powerless in the corrupt socio-political system. Though written in India almost a half century ago, it is of high relevance to Nepal’s contemporary political and social scene.
Though written in realistic form, the director has designed the play in Brechtian (Epic) form to stage in Nepal. The play has 11 separate scenes and each scene has been subtitled to give the highlights.
Mahabhoj had been staged at Mandala Theatre, Anamnagar as regular show for a month in September 2019. The play later was staged in Gurukul, Biratnagar and also participated in Bharat Rang Mahotsav organized by National School of Drama, New Delhi.

Play: Mahabhoj
Language: Nepali
Original Playwright: Mannu Bhandari
Translation: Viplob Pratik
Direction: Anup Baral

Actors:
Ramesh Budhathoki
Rajan Khatiwada
Buddhi Tamang (replaced by Dayahang Rai in half of the total shows)
Sirjana Subba
Viplob Pratik
Bijay Baral
Som Nath Khanal
Pradip Kumar Chaudhary
Bikash Joshi
Umesh Tamang
Shekhar Chapagain
Ghanashyam Joshi
Sapana Chaudhary
Sushma Niraula
Pramila Khanal
Ranjana Oli
Sagar Dahal
Arjesh Regmi
Sabin Ghalan
Milan Karki
Raj Neupane
CK Bista
Devin Chaudhary
Kabiraj Rai
Sandeep Shrestha
Rijan Pariyar

Lyrics: Viplob Pratik
Music Director: Utsav Budhathoki
Sound Craft: Dev Neupane
Light Designer: Umesh Tamang
Set Designer: Bimal Subedi
Set Constructer: Hum BC/Johnen Khetri
Costume Designer: Arpana Nagarkoti
Graphic Designer: Siddhanta Pudasaini
Photographer: Nabin Babu Gurung
Videography: Foto Crystal
Social Media: Sagar Prasain
Stage Manager: Rijan Pariyar
Production Designer: Dev Neupane
Assistant Director: Som Nath Khanal