Chitrangada: a classictale of love

Arjun, the mythical hero of the Mahabharata, flanked by his companions

The myth of Chitrangada involves the princess of Manipur who is one of the greatest and bravest warriors of the land. The stories of her bravery are like legends but, by traditional standards, she is not beautiful. When she meets Arjun, the legendary hero of the Mahabharata, she falls in love with him attracted by his masculinity. Her pride as a warrior is wiped out at once and she proposes to Arjun.

Arjun, however, rejects her that hurts Chitrangada extremely. She prays to the god of love for a boon to turn her into a beautiful woman. This eventually is fulfilled. Then Chitrangada meets Arjun again concealing her real identity. This time Arjun falls in love with the beautiful face of Chitrangada, without knowing her identity.

The couple spends a year together but Chitrangada is always haunted by the fact of her real self. Finally, Arjun comes to know that Chitrangada is the brave warrior he met before. He realises that the bravery of Chitrangada is far superior to her looks and that she has a beautiful heart.

Nrittyanachal depicted the story quite skillfully before an enthusiastic audience at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium on Tuesday last. The performance was the outcome of the 10-day workshop conducted by Mahua Mukharjee. The visiting danseuse portrayed the warrior Chitrangada and while Shamim Ara Neepa acted the beautified persona of her. Shibli Muhammad played Arjun.

The performance by all three was superb, especially the dynamic movements and intrinsic expressions of Mahua Mukharjee. The costume designing also had an indigenous touch with colourful embellishments. The background music by Saadi Muhammad and Amitabh Mukharjee well corresponded to the theme of the play. The songs were performed by Saadi Muhammad, Lily Islam, Shama Ali and the singers of Rabiraag.