Name of the Playwright: Nayanraj Pandey
Name of the Director: Deeya Maskey
Name of the Group: Actors’ Studio Nepal
Duration of the Play: 100 Min
Language of the Play: Nepali/Awadhi
About the group
The Actors’ Studio has been offering a unique and intensive three-month training in Dramatic Arts and Acting for several years, focusing on an organic, interdisciplinary approach. This approach integrates diverse fields, with the studio consisting of professionals such as writers, musicians, artists, fashion designers, graphic artists, anthropologists, and actors, fostering a rich, collaborative environment. The core motto of the studio is to explore and expand multiculturalism in theatre, emphasizing its dynamic nature at various levels. Over the past decade and a half, the studio has been actively involved in performing plays, both locally in Nepal and internationally. Their performances extend beyond traditional stages, engaging with communities through street theatre and performances in rural villages. This inclusive approach ensures that their work reaches a broader audience while enriching the cultural landscape with innovative and diverse theatrical experiences. The Actors’ Studio remains a crucial platform for nurturing creative talent and promoting cross-cultural exchange in theatre.
Some of the critically acclaimed plays by the Actors’ Studio include Virtual Reality (BRM-2006), Talakjung Vs Tulke (BRM-2008), Kafka Ek Adhyay, Malami, Court Martial, Thangla (BRM-2017), and Conference of the Birds (BRM-2018).
Summary of the Play
Katha Kasturi is a gripping tale set in Jaipun, a village known for its snake charmers. The story follows Kasturi, the daughter of Hakka PahalMaan, the village head, and Bhola, a bodyguard to ChintaMani, a political leader. In a political deal, ChintaMani promises to provide snakes to every house in Jaipun in exchange for the village’s votes in the upcoming election. Hakka PahalMaan agrees, securing the support of the village. Amidst this, Bhola falls in love with Kasturi and plans to marry her. However, his childhood friend Dabalu reveals a shocking secret about Kasturi and her father, leading to a tense, mysterious situation. After a narrow victory by ChintaMani, the village is set on fire, and Hakka PahalMaan perishes in the blaze. Devastated and vengeful, Kasturi seeks Bhola’s help to exact revenge on ChintaMani. In the end, Kasturi uncovers ChintaMani’s dark deeds and kills him, securing her long-awaited revenge.
About the Director
Deeya Maskey is a distinguished actress, dancer, and performer, known for her versatile contributions to theatre and film. She holds a master’s degree in Kathak from Prayag Sangeet Samitee, Allahabad, India (2006), which laid the foundation for her unique approach to combining dance with theatre. Upon joining Actors’ Studio, Deeya began bridging the gap between these two art forms, pioneering innovative performances. Throughout her career, she has been part of over a dozen full-length plays and more than 100 street and forum theatre productions, performing extensively both in Nepal and internationally.
Deeya’s acting credits include pivotal roles in critically acclaimed plays such as Virtual Reality, Chokhauni, Malami, Honest Thief, A Moon for the Misbegotten, Waiting For Godot, Court Martial, Conference of the Birds, and many others. In addition to theatre, she has acted in several notable films, including Kagbeni, Sanguro, Fitkiree, Tata Goodbye, Dokh, and the award-winning Prakash, for which she received the National Award for Best Actor in 2023.
Director’s Note
In art, I am captivated by the fusion of reality and magic, where reality feels like magic and magic seems grounded in reality. This unique blend can only be achieved by transcending the conventional narrative style of realism. In folk drama, myth, fantasy, and reality intertwine seamlessly, creating a rich, multidimensional experience. This is the essence of Katha Kasturi, which emerged from my deep connection with the story’s sentiments. It reminds me of the first tale I ever heard as a child and the first time I tasted “cotton candy”—a moment filled with wonder and sweetness. The story offers a “larger-than-life” perspective, moving beyond the mundane details of everyday life. Art, to me, should touch life, resonate with the times, and speak to the human experience. I was drawn to Nayan Raj Pandey’s ‘Sharpadansa’for its insightful exploration of politics, poverty, and exploitation in Madhesh, as well as its humane portrayal of snakes. I am grateful to Viplob Pratik Dai, Sanjita Parajuli, Anup Sir, and everyone involved in the play for bringing this vision to life.
About Playwright
Nayan Raj Pandey is a prominent Nepali writer and screenwriter known for his realistic portrayal of Nepali society, human emotions, and the complexities of life. His writing spans various genres, including fiction, drama, and screenwriting, often blending humor and poignancy to explore the human experience.
Pandey’s major works include Loo (2004), a critically acclaimed novel reflecting the social and political changes in Nepal’s Terai region, and Ular (1998), which gained significant popularity. Ghamkiri (2013), a collection of stories, explores the lives and struggles of ordinary people, while Sallipir (2012) examines contemporary social issues. His 2021 novel Yaar earned him the Padmashree Sahitya Puraskar, and his latest work, Jiyara, continues his exploration of societal challenges.
Pandey has also contributed to Nepali cinema through screenwriting, with notable films like Basain and Shirishko Phul. He regularly writes essays and short stories, and is an influential mentor and commentator in the Nepali literary scene, deeply understanding the Nepali psyche and resonating with readers across social divides.
Traveling Crew
CAST
| SN | Name | Character |
| 1. | Bhagawati Gharti | Kasturi |
| 2. | Bikash Khadka | Bhola |
| 3. | Jiban Gautam | Hakka Pahalman |
| 4. | Rajan Puri | Jung Bahadur Rana |
| 5. | Sandesh Bam | Ramdin / Hakka’s son |
| 6. | Shiba Das Gurung | Dabalu |
| 7. | Shristi Bhattarai | Narrator |
| 8. | Pravab Shahi | Chintamani |
| 9. | Bishal Pulami | Dabalu’s father |
| 10. | Prem Prakash K C | Hakka’s Son |
| 11. | Bharat Bogati | Lal Babu / British |
| 12. | Santosh Basnet | Chorus /Musician |
CREW
| SN | Name | Role |
| 13. | Dev Neupane | Production Design |
| 14. | Rishikesh Basyal | Stage Manger |
| 15. | Palbindra Singh | Musician |
| 16. | Suraj Malla | Musician |
| 17. | Saugat Sapkota | Sound Operator |
| 18. | Dipal Baral | Light Design/Operator |
| 19. | Shishir Upreti | Coordinator |
| 20. | Timothy Aryal | Documentation |
| 21. | Sujan Ghimire | Photo and Videography |
| 22. | Anup Baral | Stage Design/Supervisor |
| 23. | Nayan Raj Pandey | Writer |
| 24. | Deeya Maskey | Director |
Brochure Text
CAST
| SN | Name | Character |
| 1. | Ayushma Magar | Kasturi |
| 2. | Bikash Khadka (Vikky) | Bhola |
| 3. | Jiban Gautam | Hakka Pahalman |
| 4. | Rajan Puri | Jung Bahadur Rana |
| 5. | Sandesh Bam | Ramdin / Hakka’s son |
| 6. | Shiba Das Gurung | Dabalu |
| 7. | Shristi Bhattarai | Narrator |
| 8. | Pravab Shahi Thakuri | Chintamani |
| 9. | Bishal Pulami Magar | Dabalu’s father |
| 10. | Prem Prakash K C | Hakka’s Son |
| 11. | Yas Bogati | Lal Babu / British |
| 12. | Santosh Bir Singh Basnet | Chorus /Musician |
CREW
| SN | Name | Role |
| 13. | Dev Neupane | Production Design |
| 14. | Rishikesh Basyal | Stage Manger |
| 15. | Viplob Pratik | Ayo Ayo Dhirese (Song Writer) |
| 16. | Sanjita Parajuli | Paijaniya / Yo Dehelij (Song Writer) |
| 17. | Santosh Bir Singh Basnet | Lambi Lambi (Song Writer) |
| 18. | Krishna Khatri | Dha Dha Ma Ga: (Song Writer) |
| 19. | Santosh Bir Singh Basnet / Palbinder Singh | Music Direction |
| 20. | Palbindra Singh | Musician |
| 21. | Suraj Malla | Musician |
| 22. | Saugat Sapkota | Sound Operator |
| 23. | Dipal Baral | Light Design/Operator |
| 24. | Shishir Upreti | Coordinator |
| 25. | Timothy Aryal | Documentation |
| 26. | Sujan Ghimire | Photo and videography |
| 27. | Language Translation | Hansa Kurmi |
| 28. | Costume Craft | Sanjita Parajuli |
| 29. | Stage Craft | Hum BC |
| 30. | Stage Props Craft | Rishikesh Basyal / Actors |
| 31. | Stage Paint | Bikash Tamakhu / Manish Shrestha |
| 32. | Anup Baral | Stage Design/Supervision |
| 33. | Nayan Raj Pandey | Writer |
| 34. | Deeya Maskey | Director |