Painter Anup Neupane announced 'Madfest 2024' and said, 'The main purpose of organizing this festival is to create opportunities within ourselves.' More than that, the former students of Mandala Theater say that they organized this festival to create opportunities through their own skills and experience.

As Anup said, Mandala Theater alumni are now busy turning their skills and experience into opportunities. The courtyard of the mandala is now filled with the creations of these students. Some are busy making 'props', while others are busy rehearsing a new play. The rush of the directors of the 6 plays that will be shown at the festival has increased the activity in the mandala. In terms of content, very interesting, serious and sensitive topics are being staged in new experiments, new ideas and new stories of six young people - 'Nugdha', 'Mirror', 'Ankuran', 'Agam', 'Railway to Nowhere' and 'Shilpini'.&nbsp ;

Sanyog Guragain, the writer and director of 'Railway to No Where', was thinking of doing a different play at 'Madfest'. However, in the meantime, the story of what was waiting for him continued to follow. People waiting for buses at bus stops and patients waiting at hospitals. While the same idea was circulating in the mind, another new thought was added, 'If those who wait wait for the same person, what will happen? While developing the story like that, 'Railway to Nowhere' was made. Director Sanyog claims that this drama prepared in 'semi-absurd' style is full of experiments. 

This story came to join us at the end. We are all waiting for one man. There is a search for a hero who carries everyone's wishes, aspirations and aspirations. A good boss is being searched for in the office, a good leadership is being searched for in the country as well,' Sanyog told the idea behind preparing the play. Comprising 8 actors, this play tells the story of 7 characters who get crushed by a train at a railway station. All seven characters arrive at the same station.

They are waiting for such a train, which will fulfill their wishes and dreams. In a way, there is no story in my play. A lot of imagery is used in the 'absurd' style. If someone weaves a thread from somewhere, it seems to be a story,' says Sanyog, 'In my play, things that cannot be seen are seen, even things that should not be spoken are said to be.'' 'Railway to Nowhere' has been made following Beckett's theory.

Photos: Deepak KC/Kantipur

Pritisha Adhikari, who is making her writing/directing debut with 'Agam', presented her 'idea' towards the end of the 'Madfest' application. While the talk of 'Madfest' was going on, Pritisha's mind was filled with the news that the child had been stolen from the maternity ward. Why did that mother steal the child like that? Is there a separate reason behind taking that step? She collected information about the character while her mind was filled with questions. Pritisha thought that the same subject, which includes pregnancy loss, social and family pressures, etc., could be put into a play and made a play - 'Agam'.

What steps does a woman take for her acceptance in the society, between her maternal instinct and family pressure? We have tried to present it in this play. We still have the wrong belief and thinking that if a woman does not become a mother, she is not a woman. By raising the same topic, I have tried to show the struggle of such women," Pritisha said about "Agam", "I believe that there is a difference between an educated society and a literate society. We have also tried to show that the thinking of those who have passed their degree is traditional.'' The play will feature 9 actors. Majja has used images in this drama prepared in 'realistic' style. There is not much talk about miscarriage. I have chosen this story to bring the story of women who are going through such pain, to show our society,' says Pritisha. 

Painter Sagar Karki has tried to tell the story of women through 'Ankuran'. Sagar has prepared a play highlighting the society's treatment of raped women and the aspects of women's freedom. What ups and downs does that woman face in this journey to become independent? 'Ankuran' revolves around this topic. Life is good only if you have a good spouse. I have presented the story that if there is no good life partner, the relationship will end in 'divorce,' Sagar said, 'Parting is inevitable for people. But people keep looking for excuses to break up. But we have tried to show that those characters are lost in the fear of society and family. According to Sagar, this story was prepared after meeting with around 200 women. According to Sagar, the story that marriages are deteriorating due to unsatisfactory sex life has also entered the drama. 

Not only 'Agam' and 'Ankuran', 'Shilpini' directed by Vedan Rai has raised the issue of women. Based on the theme of women empowerment, this play tells the story of a female artist involved in sculpture. It was about telling the story 100 percent or not. But who will tell our story if we don't tell it? We made a play on this story because we felt that women can tell women's stories with joy," said Vedan. "In this play, we have also presented the thoughts of men who are affected by patriarchal society." Beda says that the issue of domestic violence is also raised in this play, which has four actors. This is my first direction. The story of the play was also interesting, that's why we have worked on this issue,' said Vedana, 'I think a festival like Madfest should have happened earlier.' The story of this relationship was earlier diverted to a different topic. However, while writing the story, Sushant says that the genre of music is 'rap'. He himself likes to listen to 'rap'. There are also few dramas prepared mixing 'rap'. The father has a different dream from the son, while the son sees the future towards 'rap'. 'Mirror' has been prepared in the conflict between these two on this topic. 

As soon as Mandla's three-month course was over, Vijay Tamang started directing 'Nugdha'. 'Nugdha' is the story of a character from a low-class family who dreams of winning an international 'dance championship'. How should the character struggle with society, family and himself for his dream? It is presented. While doing 'Dance', when the character's spinal cord problem is noticed, she stays away from 'Dance' and becomes a victim of 'Depression'. How does the character who is going through the same situation win from that situation? "Nugdha" has picked up the story. 

There are many reasons for mixing 'rap' music in 'Mirror'. There is a different understanding of this genre between the old generation and the new generation. Sushant says that this topic is raised in the play to show the difference between the new generation through the same understanding. These directors also had to face the problem of resources and manpower to get stories of different issues. In 'Nugdha', an artist who went to 'dance' was required, in 'Madfest', an artist from Mandla was required. Vijay had to bear the pain of having to prepare a play while teaching 'dance'.