Story of climate change at Shilpee Theatre

By Renuka Dhakal

Kathmandu, Aug. 4: A play Hiunko Prithvi Yatra (Snow's Journey to Earth) written and directed by Amjad Pravej and Ghimire Yubraj is now being staged at Shilpee Theatre in Battisputali, Kathmandu. 

This play emphasises that everyone should be serious about conserving natural resources.

Humans are dependent on nature because it provides us with everything we need for life, but in the name of modernity, people forget the essence and importance of nature, break the flow of nature by constructing modern buildings and other modern facilities. It is the message of the play. 

 This play gives the message that nature is the indispensable source of human being and everyone should be aware about preserving nature, and if we neglect nature and move towards its destruction in the name of modernity, it will only endanger human existence itself.

The play begins with a voyage of three rivers from the mountains to the sea. At first, the rivers are happy and flow with their natural flow but later when they see destructive works of men which led to drying up of rivers, they become sad.  

This drama is also a story of a lower class family which earns their living by fishing. But unfortunately, due to the climate change, it stops raining and the rivers dry up, and they cannot catch fish. But a sudden heavy rain causes flood which washes away many lives.   

It presents that the family living near the national park becomes the direct victims of exploitation of nature in the name of development.

 When the sky roars, they bring all the utensils at their yard with the hope of filling water but in vain as it does never rain. 

After the river dries up there is no water for growing crops, no ponds and rivers for fishing.

All the rivers have been dammed to generate the electricity. Due to this, not only human life, but also birds and fish living in the river, and the wild animals living in the forest are also in danger.

In recent years, snow in the mountains is constantly melting. Disorganised development is causing disaster. Those with low incomes are being left behind.  

The drama Hiunko Prithvi Yatra truly tries to explain the situation invited by climate change. 

Along with the devastation caused by natural calamities, the play throws satires at political manipulation, abuse of power and cheap propaganda in the name of social service.

Pabitra Khadka, Sangeeta Orao, Jhakendra BC, Jyoti Pokharel, Rabin Pariyar, Govind Oli, Himal Bhujel, Sushila Lohar, and Jack Baral are acting in the play. Anup Timilsina and Smarika Phuyal have provided live music to the play.

This play has already been staged in the Kalebung International Theater Festival, Drjeeling, India, and has been staged 12 times outside Kathmandu.