Ravi Jain on the challenge of adapting the longest poem in the world — the Mahabharata — for the stage
Jain's Mahabharata is a modern retelling of the ancient Sanskrit poem of the same name
Presented in partnership with the Shaw Festival, 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. Why Not Theatre’s large-scale retelling stars a cast entirely of performers from the South Asian diaspora and presents a complex hybrid of cultures balancing East and West, traditional and contemporary. Mahabharata is a visually stunning spectacle presented in two parts that takes audiences on a journey through the past in order to write a thrilling new future.
At Why Not Theatre we push boundaries, build community, and find new ways. Rethink how stories are told. And who gets to tell them. We MAKE great work that takes chances, and tours all over the world. We SHARE everything we have because more artists mean more stories. We PROVOKE change because we believe art should be for everyone. At Why Not we make things, better.
Touring inquiries: Karen Tisch
karen@whynot.theatre
The National Creation Fund’s investment of $225,000 allowed Why Not Theatre to bring together the international cast, musicians and the creative team for several extended workshops to collectively develop the three parts of the large-scale project.
A Why Not Theatre production, in association with Barbican, London, commissioned and presented by the Shaw Festival.
Production partners: Canada Council for the Arts’ New Chapter Program, Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, The Slaight Family Foundation, Kingfisher Foundation, Deb Barrett & Jim Leech, Lindy Green Family Foundation, Wuchien Michael Than Foundation.
Developed with support from the National Arts Centre’s National Creation Fund.
Presented by The Shaw Festival | Feb 28 - Mar 26, 2023 | Festival Theatre (Niagara-on-the-Lake) |
Presented by the Barbican | Oct 1 - Oct 7, 2023 | The Barbican Theatre (London) |
Jain's Mahabharata is a modern retelling of the ancient Sanskrit poem of the same name
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For the million-plus members of the South Asian diaspora living in the Greater Toronto Area, the “Mahabharata” will be familiar.
Almost 4,000 years old, the Sanskrit poem Mahabharata is foundational to Indian culture and commonly known throughout South Asia.