Rajasthan Day Celebrations: ‘Samudra Manthan’ Play Staged at JKK, Dy CM Diya Kumari Attends as Chief Guest

Jaipur, March 2026 : As part of the Rajasthan Day celebrations organized by the Tourism Department, the play Samudra Manthan was staged on Tuesday at Jawahar Kala Kendra. Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari graced the occasion as the chief guest.

Directed by Chittaranjan Tripathy, Director of the Repertory Company of the National School of Drama, the grand production featured performances by over 100 artists. The play holds special significance as the mythological tale of Samudra Manthan is regarded, in the Natyashastra tradition of Bharata Muni, as the world’s first dramatic presentation. Playwright Asif Ali has beautifully connected this epic narrative with contemporary realities.

The play opens with a thought-provoking question—what do we gain from theatre, and why should we reflect on art, literature, and drama instead of other pressing issues? The answer unfolds by the end, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. Notably, the play has already been performed more than 25 times across the country.

Director Tripathy’s artistic brilliance is evident throughout the production. Mesmerizing visuals projected on a large screen, along with innovative stage and music design, make the performance engaging and dynamic, keeping the audience captivated from beginning to end. The high energy maintained from the opening scene continues seamlessly until the finale.

The narrative begins in the present, gradually transitions into the mythological story, and then returns to the present, directly engaging the audience. It raises important questions—why have we stopped introspecting in today’s fast-paced modern world? Why are we neglecting the future of coming generations and the environment? What are we truly chasing, at the cost of our mental and physical well-being?

According to the storyline, Sage Durvasa curses Indra, rendering him weak and powerless. Seizing the opportunity, demon king Bali defeats Indra and establishes dominance over heaven, leading to the rise of destructive forces across the universe.

On the advice of Lord Brahma, the gods, led by Indra, seek help from Lord Vishnu to restore balance. Vishnu then instructs them to churn the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) to recover lost truth and essence and to re-establish order in the universe.

The play conveys a powerful message: in our pursuit of rapid development, we often ignore its adverse consequences. Just as the churning of the ocean produced both nectar (amrit) and poison (vish), modern progress too generates harmful by-products such as plastic waste, chemical gases, and environmental pollution. The responsibility for addressing these challenges lies with all of us.

The director skillfully blends modern elements with the mythological essence, preserving the poetic beauty of this epic while making it relevant to contemporary society.