In any power game, some are bound to lose. Staging a downfall is never an easy thing to do. Especially so when the feat serves the purpose of celebrating the 25th anniversary of a theatre company, that of the Mauritius Drama League (MDL).

It would have been so much easier for the producers: Rajoo Ramana and Anon Panyandee to spoil us with a festive piece. You know, the kind which is full of puns and witty remarks. The sort of scenes where warm embraces wrap both arms around fond remembrances of days long gone, of the hectic road traveled together, of the years to come.

But the MDL chose a different way. Not that we are complaining - on the contrary! “Eternal conflict,” promises the poster for Mahabharat. Nothing less than a throne is at stake, that of Hastinapur. Pandavas and Kauravas wage a dynastic war both among themselves and with our senses.

The MDL clearly wishes to be consistent with history. To impress upon us the sure signs of maturity through an epic penned by one of its founder members. An effect achieved by the emphatic use of the charisma of an actress : Deepa Bhookhun. Endowed with a good voice and a fair amount of presence, she sweeps through the play with her finger often raised, her eyes flashing out supreme justice, her body taunt with a martial will. Nine years off the stage have not robbed her of that special magic which makes our eyes follow her around, be it on the swing, at the beginning of Mahabharat, the eternal conflict, in the court of Hastinapur or on the battlefield.

She is especially eloquent when soothing the humiliated pride of Draupadi. The woman – Deepa- lends her femininity to the god – Krishna – to understand more fully the everlasting impact of the scene in which the Kauravas attempt to undress Draupadi.

Enthusiastic audience</B>