06/05/2026
We are grateful to Sukti Sarkar for her thoughtful remarks after watching "In Search of Goddess Sitala."
She writes on her Facebook Wall
" Prof. Ananda Lal speaking at the curtain call after the performance of "In search of the goddess Sh*tala." The play is based on the eponymous research paper of Anjum Katyal and Navin Kishore. It depicted the trials and trauma experienced by a male artist who regularly enacts the role of Ma Sh*tala in a folk theatre presentation by Loknath Opera. Divine power fails to protect the amorous relationship that develops between him and his male co-artist. How society rejects a q***r identity and unleashes violence and cruelty to provoke su***de, the story is too real to be ignored. Performed by Santoshpur Anuchintan and ably directed by Dr. Gaurab Das, this play compels to think a lot about human identity, sexuality and more.
Ganga Jamuna theatre festival organised by Aneek. 7th March, 2026."
