Hyderabad's 'Shikhandi' promotes gender sensitivity in theatre

Hyderabad designer and theatre artist Ganesh Nallari has created a new play called ‘Shikhandi’. This 12-minute production is inspired by a character from the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata. Ahead of World Theatre Day on March 27, Ganesh speaks about his work and its themes of gender sensitivity. Ganesh emphasizes the importance of understanding queer identities. He believes that being queer is not an accident but rather part of God's design. His play aims to challenge stereotypes around masculinity and elevate the status of women and transgender individuals. In the Mahabharata, the character Shikhandi has a unique story. She is a reincarnated princess who undergoes a sex change and plays a major role in a pivotal battle. Having debuted in theatre in 2012, Ganesh often explores queer themes in his work. With ‘Shikhandi’, he faced the challenge of telling a complex story within a short time. To help the audience understand the character, he began the play with a discussion on gender and included references to significant Hindu deities. Ganesh made the writing clear and relatable, avoiding overly complicated language. His goal was to ensure that all audience members could connect with the story. He chose to present the most recognized Indian version of Shikhandi’s tale, while also incorporating some humor in the dialogue. In addition to directing, Ganesh also performed in the play and designed costumes and sets. The costumes were taken from his personal collection, helping to keep the budget low. ‘Shikhandi’ received recognition at a recent theatre competition, placing as the runner-up for 'Best Original Script'. Ganesh is pleased that the audience is interested in learning more about Shikhandi’s story. He hopes to transform this short play into a full-length production soon.