Draupadi’s Mahabharata shines at Naman 2025

Draupadi’s Mahabharata was Nrityantar’s presentation in their festival Naman 2025, where Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar awardee Odissi performer and teacher Madhulita Mohapatra, the Artistic Director of Nrityantar, made a mark in the role of Draupadi.

- TAPATI CHOWDHURIE

Draupadi was instrumental in launching the Kurukshetra war, which marked the end of the Treta Yuga and the start of the Kali Yuga. Draupadi, the daughter of King Drupada, also known as Panchalifrom the land of Panchala~— Krishnaa, because of her dark complexion, and Yajnaseni — born out of a sacrificial fire -is the most enigmatic character one has ever heard of.

In her conceptualisation, Draupadi’s Mahabharata is about Draupadi’s perception of those inimical times, an Odissi production that tells the Mahabharata through Draupadi’s eyes.

To understand her many-layered character is difficult. Mythology has ranked heras one of the Panchakanyas — a woman of honour and virtue, per se.

She doesn't fit into the mould of nayikas with any of the traits ofthe Uttama, Madhyama, or Adhama as delineated in Bharata's Natya Sashtra. Then what is she?

She is unique, bold, and ready totake any step to protect er dignity and honour. She goes through her troubled journey with fortitude, resilience, but determination. She is a handful for the epoch, and enacting her nuanced role was more than fulfilled by the protagonist.

The human drama unfolded with every action taken, meeting with an equal and opposite reaction, with everything coming to a full circle.

InDraupadi’s Mahabharata, like it is in Vyasa’s, Draupadi is the guiding light, portrayed by adancer whounderstands.

When the bows are lowered after the battle and the drums fall silent, what truly remains? Draupadi’s pride is quenched when Bhima gives her Duryodhana’s blood to bathe her hair. The Mahabharata establishes a new Dharma, where pride, power, love, and duty are reshaped. Lessons survive.