Performing in Kalidasa's Shakuntala

Kathmandu, Nepal, October 28 — When I was in 10th grade at my school in Kathmandu, Nepal I performed in Kalidasa's Shakuntala. Shakuntala is a beautiful love drama by Kalidasa, an Indian poet and dramatist who was born in the 4th century A.D.

I was a main character, Shakuntala, and my cousin played my son. We performed our play at the Budhanilkanta stage, near Kathmandu. When I was studying in my Kathmandu public school, I was always a good student and a very good artist. I studied many subjects, including drama, acting, music, dance, literature and philosophy.

When Shakuntala comes to her husband's place, her husband refuses to recognize her and her son. At that time, she was walking on the street with her son and had lost the ring given by her husband, Dushyanta. He does not believe that Shakuntala is his wife.

Shakuntala felt pain that her own husband couldn't offer her the love she expected. In fact, what she required most was love from Dushyanta. Shakuntala felt very bad. In a way, such scenarios bring imbalance and are sorrowful. Shakuntala was a young, beautiful woman, but she experienced such sadness on her journey of life.

Although the place where her husband lives should be pleasant, yet her husband didn’t recognize her. Even the idea of her husband brought fear to her. Certainly, Shakuntala remains in a way dissatisfied with herself, and her suffering has no end. Shakuntala often feels agitated when she questions herself. By the end of the play, Shakuntala is very unhappy and suffering.

I tried to research the meaning of Shakuntala. I was trying to find a destination for Shakuntala. I really found beauty in Shakuntala's character. A beautiful feeling falls over me and is able to be performed. I happened to be friendly with the character.
Of course, through this play, Kalidasa shows the harsh realities of life. And I feel Shakuntala will escape from these, and then more sentimental and beautiful days may begin.

Sometimes I wish I could perform again. My heart believes completely that Shakuntala will never be far from me.

Kamala is an editor for www.mediaforfreedom.com. Her specialties are in-depth reporting and writing stories on peace and anti-war issues, women, terrorism, democracy and development. Some of her publications include: Women's Empowerment in South Asia, Nepal; Prevention of Trafficking in Women Through Media; Efforts to Prevent Trafficking in for Media Activism. She has also written two collections of stories.