A Sanskrit play ‘Madhyamavyayoga’ was staged here on Monday at Antrang Hall, Bharat Bhavan.
The play is being organised by Kalidas Sanskrit Academy, Ujjain in collaboration with Arghya Kala Samiti, Bhopal.
Directed by Rajendra Avasthi of Sanskrit Academy, Ujjain, the play is an epic drama written by Bhasa.
The play is performed by 40 artists of Kalidas Sanskrit Academy and Arghya Kala Samiti.
The play takes place in the same forest in which the Pandava brothers are spending their exile, and where a Brahmin family is being pursued by Ghatokach, son of Hidimba.
Ghatokach, however, is only doing his mother’s bidding, for she has asked him to find some human for her to have as a meal. Upon capturing the Brahmin family, Ghatokach states that he will release the family, as long as one individual becomes Hidimba’s dinner.
Upon painfully discussing who will have to give their life to spare the other members of the family the middle son was taken tos Hidimba.
Before facing his fate, the middle son first asks permission to quench his thirst at a nearby lake.
After some time, Ghatokach worries that his mother’s dinner time will pass, and he demands to the family give him the name of the middle son so that he may call him.
The name madhyama is given, which, coincidentally, is also the title of Bhima. As a result, Bhima believes that it is he that is being called, enters the scene, and takes charge of the situation, telling the priest that he is free to go and that
he will take his place as Hidimba’s meal.
Bhima inquires the identity of Ghatokach's mother, only to find that he is indeed his son.
They wrestle and Bhima defeats Ghatokach and let the family leave, but in despair Ghatokach reminds Bhima of his promise. Bhima allows Ghatokach to call his mother, who immediately reveals the identity of Bhima to their son.
Shocked by the sudden revelation, Ghatokach repents for his ignorance. Hidimba claims that her appetite is indeed satisfied by the return of her husband, and both families go their separate ways on good terms.
It was a spell binding performance and the audience enjoyed it to the fullest.