written by Sudipta Bhawmik 

directed by Suman Mukhopadhyay 
performed by Sudipta Majumdar

June 25, 26 2022
Edison Valley Playhouse
Edison, NJ
 

Synopsis: 

      Gender dysphoria and transgender politics is a subject that has been carefully avoided in our society for a long time. The great Indian epic Mahabharata deals with this issue in a skillful way through the story of "Shikhandi".  The story not only deals with gender crisis but also draws our attention to the general issue of gender politics, which since the days of the Mahabharata has struggled to elevate women from a status of commodity to that of an individual with a purpose.  The play begins on the tenth day of the battle of Kurukshetra when in the darkness of night, Shikhandi visits Bhishma who lies on a bed of arrows awaiting his death. Shikhandi narrates Bhishma the story of her life - the story of Amba, the story of Shikhandini.  Today after all these years, Shikhandi could fulfill Amba's mission and take her revenge on behalf of all women treated like a commodity by men who are looked upon by the society as models of virtue and greatness.