How many years will the wounds of the war last, 10 or 20 years? How long will the injury last? How many nights of the victims who endured violence, abuse and rape during the conflict spend in Anido? What are they doing in the subconscious mind when the war is throbbing with pain? How to destroy? How painful is the pain of the lost justice, the hurt self-esteem and the repetition of the constant torture?

Manjira: The Muted Melody' at Mandla Natakghar explores the depth of war wounds and advocates for justice for women victims of violence. Conceived and directed by Somnath Khanal, written by Sandesh Ghimire along with director Khanal, this play presents the barbarity, cruelty and horror of the conflict and questions the society, justice system and the state that is silent for justice. Did the women who were subjected to violence during the conflict get justice? After all, how many more wars will they fight in the society for justice? When the perpetrators of violence are walking freely in the society, why should they continue to live their lives in a hurry ? Where should conscious citizens and sensitive society stand in this fight for justice?

Based on the theme of the popular play 'Death and the Maiden', 'Manjira: The Muted Melody' is the story of Manjira (Saraswati Chaudhary) who is living asphyxiated. Manjira's husband Prem (Sashank Mainali) drives to the family of lawyer Gopal (Saroj Khanal), who moved to Bardia from Kathmandu in search of peace. Gopal's wife Shanti (Sarita Giri) is not giving peace to Bardia's heat. Shanti, who has left the profession of lawyer and became a housewife, finds peace when the news reaches her that Gopal will be made the chairman of a high-level investigation commission related to the justice of the conflict victims.

Kavindra (Anup Neupane), a guest who arrived at the house, blurts out in front of Shanti that Gopal is becoming the chairman of the commission. As Gopal gets appointed as the chairman of the commission, and Kavindra gets closer to the family, a mysterious melody begins to hum. The tune that makes Manjira go crazy, heals her wounds . And she thrashes about like a fish out of water. As the mystery of this tune is explored, the past of Manjira and war returns to the present .

The sweet melody behind this tune is the story of 'Manjira: The Muted Melody'. This tune is the strongest image used in the play. This harmonica tune sounds beautiful . But the sounds of genocide, torture and harassment of the victims and mental health issues that this tune reminds us of are very harsh . War arose with beautiful slogans, dreams and promises . However, this war left the Manjiras with an unforgettable raucous tune . The stage uses a door that leads to Manjira's transcendence, a door that transports Manjira to that haunting moment, where this beautiful melody captures the ugliness . It is to open this door, to reach the bitter truth that this tune will force.  The

drama satirizes toxic masculinity and patriarchal society. This topic is raised through the character of Kavindra and Gopal. Advocate Gopal is an activist, but does not seem to be sensitive to the issues of the oppressed . The victims of the conflict keep their statements in front of their eyes, they don't have the common sense that they should be listened to when they talk about such great pain years later. They make the victim even more distrustful.

On the other hand, he does not see the sacrifice made by his wife . Wife Shanti gives up lawyer life for family, that's a 'normal' topic for Gopal . While talking to Kavindra, Gopal shows his hypocrisy towards women .

'The women of the house should not be told about special gatherings . They will try to influence it,' Gopal tells Kavindra . Kavindra's approach is also full of women. Having had an affair with his wife, he kept blaming his wife after another.

Not only that, he pours out his anger, sexual frustration and revenge on women . Women are called names. They become desensitized to identity politics, land issues and women's pain.

He does not consider women as human beings. Through the character of Kavindra, the play presents a misogynistic view, toxic masculinity. Through these two male characters, 'Manjira' satirizes the narrow masculinity in the society. The

drama also features men like Prem, who stand for equal treatment, justice and freedom. Those who understand the suffering of the victims . The important part is that he listens to the experiences of the victims. They speak in favor of women's sacrifice, self-respect and self-respect. They are ready to stand together in the fight for justice, trust and support. Prem is an example of a fellow traveler, who stands as a shield for a victim woman who is facing the mental stress, humiliation, inferiority complex and stigma of society caused by the war .

'Manwa Suhawan...' When Manjira gets a headache, this song is also reflected in this song that Prem sings. In the drama, the thoughts of Gopal and Kavindra in the society are satirized through the love character. 

'Manjira: The Muted Melody' raises the issue of women empowerment . In the play, there are women like 'Manjira' who muster the courage to stand up against the barbarism they face. Manjira  can stand up with a gun to defend himself. You can ask questions and fight for justice. She finds the courage to live with the pain she has been enduring for years.

Meanwhile, housewife Shanti decides to return to the profession of advocate . Shanti decides to become a lawyer especially after realizing the oppression and humiliation being done to her. Through the change in this character, the aspect of women's empowerment has been presented in the play.

This play also shows the question of the victim's mental health . Whenever the harmonica tune plays in the background, Manjira begins to splutter . Holding the sad head she freaks out . This scene shows the mental health of all those women, who are still waiting for justice with this pain. Saraswati Chaudhary, who acted in the role of Manjira, has brought the pain, mental torture and injuries endured by the woman to the stage through this character.

Similarly, artist Sarita Giri has presented Shanti's playfulness, innocence and changes in her character through strong acting . Saroj Khanal, Anup Neupane and Shashank Mainali have also done a befitting role.