A quest for identity. Women all around the world are contained by multiple barriers and entanglements, trying to acquire their lost identity midst the forced layers, they are supposed to put up. Cracking of shells and emergence of voice with so much gravity. A solo performance of Draupadi’s Monologue leaves you baffled and dazzled.
In Pratibha Ray’s Draupadi theatrical Monologue, Draupadi addresses Krishana and questions the humiliation and cruel injustice she had to bear. Imposing the question of being insulted and disparaged for the entire world to see. A complete contrast to esteemed Dharma clashed with the war of self-respect and Draupadi’s as a puppet in the bigger play. Diving into the in-depth identity of Draupadi is clouded by uncertain dilemmas.
The portrayal of Draupadi is startling and shivering as she talks about the aftermath of the Kurukshetra war, her voice cold almost piercing as she narrates. The contrasting dilemma of Karma and Dharma engulfed everything leaving a deafening void. Regret, Mourning and Mortification are the only emotions drawing everyone. A voice full of rage, she imposes how everything is taken away from her as well from everyone with absolutely no benefit. Draupadi looks for victory, revenge for her humiliation but she ends up in a towering fury of mother’s loss of a son, a void impossible to fill again. The actor playing Draupadi portrays such intense intimate emotions of immense regret and the severity of revenge brings nothing but harm. Blood is vengeful and can satisfy no human, the delivery of lines is immaculate.
Draupadi grieving for his lost son, Abhimanyu and in this process questioning the authority and consequences leading to untimely death is staggering, touching upon the lack of humanity and its foundation. The depiction of Bheem rubbing Dushasan blood as signifying revenge, the emotions of trauma and fear of more loss are portrayed in a petrified way by the actor almost unsettling. Draupadi’s monologue of what sin can Abhimanu’s death compensate for? Is awakening, the gravity of words and acting it out is wonderfully done, successfully making the audience entirely enthralled.
The identity of a woman and her motherhood is shown with an intertwining of delicate sentiments through Draupadi’s voice. As a woman, often voices are unheard but when a woman musters the courage to speak, her voice echoes. Draupadi’s stance of asking Krishna, for one last time is laced with so much pain and remorse but with a discerning set of blessings for the entire world. The panning of the camera focusing in and out provides great emphasis as well to show elaborate facial expressions.
The Looming red light and the spotlight on the actor create a dawning image, almost like a revelation. The words of Draupadi we always come across but this time a vision so authentic bearing emotions, makes you want to rethink the history.
