From Delhi stage, message for peace in Manipur…via Taiwan

“It’s a message of peace which resonates everywhere, even in Taiwan, which has a long-standing dispute with China,” Jayanta told The Indian Express on the sidelines of NSD’s flagship annual theatre festival — Bharat Rang Mahotsav — where the play was staged as Taiwan’s official entry to the event.

Karna has been staged in Taiwan six times and was well received there, owing to its universal theme, even as there is less familiarity about the story, said the director. “Not only Taiwan, it also comes out of an emotional space — my home state has seen a lot of insurgency and been under conflict lately. I wish peace for Manipur, Ukraine and  Gaza.”

This is a rare instance of Taiwan participating in the festival, which is held under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture. As part of Bharat Rang Mahotsav, the play had two shows in India — New Delhi and Jaipur.

Isabel Lin, cultural attache, Taipei Economic and Culture Center (TECC) in India, said, “This performance is part of the TECC 30th anniversary celebration, supported by the Ministry of Culture of Taiwan.”

Inspired by the epic, Karna explores the theme of heroes through a cross-cultural collaboration between Taiwanese and Indian artists, combining traditional and contemporary elements. Blending Indian classical drama with Taiwanese opera elements, the production features Peking opera artist Zhao Xin as the narrator, with Indian actors Mohd Shahnawaj, as Karna, and Medha Aich, who plays Kunti.

Compared to the Ramayana, which aligns with Indian values and emphasises moral and societal norms, the Mahabharata deals with human themes, said Jayanta, adding that it explores topics like love and hatred, loyalty and betrayal, justice and personal interests.

Jayanta is a popular name in Taiwan’s theatre community, known for contemporary interpretations of traditional arts. He graduated with a degree in history from Manipur University and specialised in acting while pursuing his Master’s in theatre from NSD.

The production uses Mandarin and Indian dialects, emphasising cultural differences through language. Even if the audience does not understand all the languages, the actors’ expressions and body language effectively convey the story, Jayanta said. The music blends Indian traditional chanting with Taiwanese operatic melodies, with live shows creating a dialogue between cultures. The costumes blend traditional Indian attire with Taiwanese Peking opera aesthetics.

“We hope that Indian audiences, in addition to recognising Taiwan’s achievements…also appreciate our cultural accomplishments and diverse artistic excellence,” said Lin.