Drive past Kamal Pokhari and Gyaneshwar and you reach Maiti Devi. Drive through Maiti Devi towards Baneshwar (Old) and just as the road starts to climb up, turn left and keep going till you reach a black gate. You’ve arrived at Gurukul. It’s all happening here. There was a time when every now and then one heard of a new play in town. Nepali drama was being enacted either at the Naach Ghar, City Hall or at the Royal Nepal Academy. HAMS, a play group that has been around for decades, stages plays in English at various locations while Studio 7 hold their own at Hotel Vajra. Incidentally, Sabine Lehman and Ludmilla Hungerhuber of Studio 7 were awarded by the International theatre Institute in April—Good news during bad times.
The last decade has been a low period for dramatics in Kathmandu and only Studio 7 has been consistently putting up plays. But with the opening of Gurukul, theatre is back with a bang. Sunil Pokharel is the man behind this resurgence and ever since their opening this theatre group has been most active. “Mayadeviko Sapna” a play in Nepali was staged until mid-April. Written by Abhi Subedi and directed by Nisha Sharma Pokharel, the story revolves around the insurgency with all its horrors. Short and sweet and lasting for just an hour, it was a one act play with very realistic sound effects, bringing us city dwellers closer to the turmoil and suffering that rural folks have been putting up with for more than a decade. The play was well produced with imaginative props and the actors put up a professional performance.
Gurukul has also been the venue for many poetry recitals. Visiting foreign students have held workshops and joint productions too at this theatre. Gurukul is a boon to creative arts in Nepal, and one more form of entertainment to look forward to.
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