World through a blindfolded queen’s eyes

CHANDIGARH: ‘Komal Gandhar’, a Hindi play depicting the unfulfilled desires of a newlywed bride and the game of politics, attracted a modest viewership for the second time at Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh.
The narrative originally penned by Shankar Shesh was directed by Mukesh Sharma from Samvaad Theater Group.
The journey of a girl’s emotions through the travesties of life were presented through theatrics, essaying the forgotten tale that played years before Mahabharata’s condensation.
The plot revolves around Queen Gandhaari who is tricked into getting married to Hastinapur’s blind king Dhritrashatra, by the politics and conspiracy of Bhishma Pitamah and her own father King Gaandhaar.
Smitten by the love and possibilities of her newly-married life, the reality of her now husband leaves Gandhaari heartbroken and she vows to live a life of equal agony by covering her eyes with a blindfold.
The story also forms the basis of how the Kauravas were destroyed. Bhishma Pitamah, mentor of the Mahabharata, never wanted to let the big dynasty of Hastinapur fall. He wanted a legal heir of Dhritarashtra to handle the kingdom despite the fact that Dhritrashtra’s nephews Pandavas were more eligible. But, Bhishma was not willing to hand it over to Pandavas.
To do so, he made a deal with Gandhar and asked for his daughter’s hand for Dhritrashtra. Having created a prince-like picture of her husband in her mind she departs from Gandhar to Hastinapur. While on the way to her groom’s house, she became aware of the truth. She discovered that her imaginary picture is nothing but, a blind man, whom she is going to get married to.
Deeply hurt by his sister’s plight, Shakuni, Gandhaari’s brother, by living in the same palace and nursing her sister’s children ultimately avenges the injustice inflicted upon her sister.