Ganesh Nallari in the play ‘Shikhandi’
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“To be queer is not an accident; it is by design. God created queer people. I wanted the audience to understand this, rather than judge or comment on a person’s gender,” says Hyderabad-based fashion designer and theatre artist Ganesh Nallari. He recently directed and produced Shikhandi, a 12-minute play inspired by the character from the Mahabharata.
Ahead of World Theatre Day (March 27), Ganesh highlights how society has long ignored gender dysphoria and identity politics, whereas the Mahabharata addressed them with nuance. “Shikhandi was born to challenge toxic masculinity, elevating not just women but also transgender individuals — from being seen as mere commodities to people with purpose. Shikhandi is a karana janma, a life with intent.”
In the Mahabharata, Shikhandi is a reincarnation of Princess Amba, who was abducted by Bhishma. Reborn as Drupada’s daughter, Shikhandini, she undergoes a sex change, fights in the Kurukshetra war, and plays a pivotal role in Bhishma’s downfall.
A trained Kuchipudi dancer, Ganesh debuted in theatre in 2012 with Mudra – the silent gesture, a deeply personal ‘coming out’ story. Since then, his occasional theatre ventures have often explored queer themes.
A complex story in 12 minutes
A scene from ‘Shikhandi’
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Shikhandi, a lesser-known character in the epic, had long intrigued Ganesh. “I wanted to train as a theatre writer and director before taking on this story. When a contest opportunity arose (Skits by Dramanon Hyderabad), I was ready.” The challenge? The play had to be under 12 minutes. “Condensing such a complex story was tough,” he admits.
Ganesh read extensively and referred to Devdutt Pattanaik’s Shikhandi: And Other Tales They Don’t Tell You, admiring its clarity. To introduce younger audiences unfamiliar with Shikhandi’s story, he structured the play with an opening discussion on gender, referencing Shiva-Shakti and Vishnu-Mohini. “The line ‘I am he, him, and everything in between’ sets the stage before we explore Amba’s past life, death, rebirth, self-respect, and revenge,” he explains.
Simple yet impactful
Ganesh Nallari, Laharika Reddy Sama in ‘Shikhandi’
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
Ganesh focused on making the writing accessible. “In Telugu or Sanskrit plays, you can weave in shlokas and take a different approach. But for a short English play, the language had to be simple, bold, and relatable.”
A scene where Amba vents her frustration after repeated rejections has a touch of sarcasm, but Ganesh avoided overplaying it for comedic effect. He also grappled with choosing which version of Shikhandi’s story to present. “There are variations — one Javanese (Indonesian) account even suggests Shikhandi was briefly married to Arjuna. There are also different interpretations of the garland given by Karthikeya. I chose the most widely recognised Indian version.”
Ganesh played the sutradhar (narrator) and several significant brief parts, while Laharika Reddy Sama played Amba and the title character. Ganesh handled the costumes and set design. Costumes came from his personal wardrobe, with additional outfits designed by his studio. Props were repurposed to keep costs low.
Shikhandi was the runner-up for ‘Best Original Script’ and second runner-up for ‘Audience Choice Best Play’ at Dramanon Hyderabad’s Skits contest, held recently. Beyond the awards, Ganesh found it gratifying that audience members left wanting to know more about Shikhandi’s story. He hopes to develop it into a full-length play in the near future.
Published – March 20, 2025 03:49 pm IST