Toronto 
Shaw Festival, in conjunction with Toronto’s innovative Why Not Theatre, is presenting the 4,000-year-old Sanskrit epic, Mahabharata, on stage this March.
The world premiere presented as a contemporary take on the Sanskrit epic foundational to Indian culture is a gripping story of a family feud and an exploration of profound philosophical and spiritual ideas.
Mahabharata makes its world premiere at the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake on March 9 – 26, with previews beginning February 28th.
This once-in-a-generation theatrical experience is presented over two plays, bridged by a community meal and storytelling session, and promises to take audiences on an unforgettable journey.
Mahabharata: Karma (Part 1) starts with King Janamejaya’s ritual sacrifice to avenge his father’s death by killing all the snakes in the world. A storyteller is summoned to narrate the Mahabharata and stop the cycle of revenge. The play focuses on the Pandava and Kaurava clans, their rivalry, and the choices that led to their infamous Game of Dice.
The Ensemble uses playful narration and live music to showcase the human struggle to create a just world in the face of competition, jealousy, and rage.
Mahabharata: Dharma (Part 2) continues with King Janamejaya being informed of his ancestors’ war, the destruction it caused, and the survivors who were left to rebuild.
This part includes captivating projections, dynamic soundscapes, poetic stage design, and a 15-minute Sanskrit opera adaptation of the Bhagavad Gita. King Janamejaya is confronted with the battle of Kurukshetra and the battle inside his heart. The play questions whether humanity is doomed to repeat its past mistakes.
To fully experience this epic story, you should watch Parts 1 and 2.
You can experience both parts of Mahabharata in one day with an authentic Indian vegetarian buffet, Khana community meal, or on separate days.
On several dates (March 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, 25, 26), Mahabharata: Karma (Part 1) and Mahabharata: Dharma (Part 2) will be presented over one day, allowing you to enjoy this Sanskrit epic in its entirety with a community meal in between.
Director Ravi Jain, who grew up hearing the stories from the Mahabharatha, says, “Our telling blends traditional and modern, east and west, and includes various forms of Indian dance, storytelling, live music and even a Sanskrit opera! We’ve also tried to mimic many peoples’ real-life experience – receiving these stories, through an interpretation and lesson, over a meal. Each of these forms of storytelling help to unlock Mahabharata’s meanings – they help us reach beyond words and narrative to access its spiritual and philosophical underpinnings.”
This contemporary take on the Sanskrit epic is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that promises to leave audiences in awe. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to witness a timeless epic come to life on stage.
MAHABHARATA
What: WORLD PREMIERE. Presented in conjunction with Toronto’s innovative Why Not Theatre, Mahabharata is a contemporary take on a Sanskrit epic that is more than four thousand years old and foundational to Indian culture. This gripping story of a family feud is an exploration of profound philosophical and spiritual ideas.
Mahabharata: Karma (Part 1) – The Life We Inherit
Running time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission
Khana Community Meal
served in the Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre between performances on two-show days
Running time is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes
Mahabharata: Dharma (Part 2) – The Life We Choose includes the Bhagavad Gita Opera
Running time is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission
written and adapted by
Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes
using poetry from Carole Satyamurti’s Mahabharata: A Modern Retelling
original concept developed with Jenny Koons
a Why Not Theatre Production in association with Barbican, London
commissioned and presented by the Shaw Festival
When: March 9 – 26, with previews beginning February 28th.
Where: Festival Theatre, 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake
