Playwright Girish Karnad (1938 –2019) needs little introduction to anyone familiar with the trajectory of drama and film in post-independence India. His career as a playwright, actor and director spanned many decades and “Naga-Mandala” is one amongst many iconic plays from his pen, based on two folk tales. It received its American premiere in 1993 as a part of the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. 

 

‘Naga-Mandala’ the play is set amongst a ruins. In the prologue, we encounter a Man, struggling with his own mortality. We find out that he has been cursed to stay awake an entire night or he will die. He is a playwright who has written plays putting his audiences to sleep and now, this “abused mass of sleep” has turned against him and become the “Curse of Death”, causing him to flee to this ruined place to hide and try to stay awake until dawn. Even as he confesses his dilemma to the audience, he takes a vow abjuring all playwriting, all storytelling.

Just then, in a magical moment, ‘flames’ floating through the air descend upon the place. The Man hides and observes them—it is said that when flames are blown out in people’s homes, they gather some place to gossip about what they have witnessed of human lives. This is where they appear tonight, personified as characters. Also amongst them is the character of ‘Story Wrapped in Song.’ She is despondent because she is unable to relate her tale to anyone who will pass it on. The Man leaps out and grabs hold of her hand, promising to listen all night, since his life depends on it. Thus begins a play within a play, the tale of a young woman Rani, with her long black hair falling to her ankles like the hood of a cobra; her husband Appanna who is at war with himself and the world, and the King Cobra (Naga) carried by love and magic. By the time the play will end, we will have witnessed an astonishing, mesmerizing tale of love and magical transformation.

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​PRODUCTION

The production is being mounted in Sarasota, FL, March 13 to 15, 2026, and
a single Tampa performance will take place on Saturday, March 21 at 7:00 pm.​

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Local talent, actors, musicians, dancers, technical crew and space will be utilized for the production, offering a rare and exciting avenue for many individuals to combine their talents in this venture. The space for the production will be a non-conventional space at the Circus Arts Conservatory Sailor Circus Arena in Sarasota.

 

AUDIENCE

The play, while wrapped in folklore and set in an imaginary place in India, is very universal in its themes and appeal and speaks to a general, contemporary American audience.