Bhubaneswar: The cultural council of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Government of Odisha, on January 30, celebrated its 49th annual cultural festival, staging a historical play, ‘Ashoka’ at Rabindra Mandap here.
The production delves into the circumstances that led to Emperor Ashoka’s metamorphosis from a ruthless ruler, known as Chandashok, to a champion of non-violence, revered as Dharmashok.
According to historians, Ashoka’s brutal past, marked by bloodshed and cruelty, eventually gave way to a profound sense of remorse and introspection. This transformation was not sudden, but rather the result of a series of traumatic events, impacts, and epiphanies that reshaped his social, political, and religious beliefs.
The play “Ashoka” aims to bring to life the emotional and psychological struggles that Ashoka faced as he grappled with the consequences of his actions.
By exploring the complexities of Ashoka’s character, the production seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of the factors that contributed to his remarkable transformation.
Though the artistes, all were the employees of the above said department, are not professional actors, their performances, barring in some scenes, were in no way inferior to the seasoned actors.
The play was written by Byomkesh Tripathi and directed by Debananda Nayak Soni.
