Gulaf staged in Norway

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 24: Nepali play ‘Gulaf’ is being staged in Oslo, the capital of Norway. 

The play, titled ‘The Rose: An Awakening Journey of Yashodhara’ in English, will be staged regularly for three days starting this Thursday at Oslo’s Teater Manu.

A team of Nepali artists has reached Oslo and is busy preparing for the staging of the play, which is conceived, designed, and directed by Ram Hari Dhakal, said Kedar Shrestha, Manager of the play. 

 The actors in the team, Diya Maskey, Sarita Sah, Dev Neupane, Kedar Shrestha, and Umesh Tamang, have reached Norway. Director Dhakal welcomed the Nepali team to Oslo.

The play is being staged with the support of ‘Art and Culture Norway’, an art and culture organisation of the Norwegian government, and with the Nordisk Kulturfond and Ffuk. no Norway. The play targets both Norwegians and the Nepalis in Norway.

This play has been prepared in the ‘Physical Theatre’ genre, in which there is no dialogue, but the scenes will tell the story. 

After Siddhartha Gautam abandons his newborn baby Rahul, his wife Yashodhara, and the state in search of answers to his questions, ‘Rose’ explores the mental ups and downs experienced by Yashodhara.

The play delves into the extreme pain and separation felt by Yashodhara, highlighting the feelings, disorders and effects caused by Prince Siddhartha’s sudden departure.

 The main theme of the play is Yashodhara’s internal emotional journey from pain to awakening, expressed through physical performance.

The audience composition for this play is also unique. The stage of ‘The Rose’ is set in the middle of the theatre, allowing the audience to observe from all sides. A maximum of 64 people will be allowed per show to watch the play.

Last year, it was staged at Mandala Theater, Kathmandu where it had its world premiere with 14 regular performances.