Me Ashvatthama Chiranjiv

For every Indian—and indeed, now even for foreigners (who, it is said, are pursuing doctorates on these very subjects)—whose formative years were profoundly shaped by the tales of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, the figure of Ashwatthama, a pivotal character in the Mahabharata, has cast an enduring spell of intrigue. His immortality remains a subject of intense study, curiosity, and wonder. From the most elementary inquiries—Who was he? Does he still exist? Where does he reside? (It is rumored that he encounters many people, wandering about in search of oil and ghee to tend to his wounds.) What was his legendary gemstone, the Neelamani, truly like? — To profound contemplations regarding how Dronacharya’s son could have erred so grievously that the Divine Creator seemingly cast this specific curse to endure until the very end of the Kali Yuga, countless questions, ranging from the simple to the profound, converge upon the single name: Ashwatthama.

A two-act play, based on the nationally acclaimed novel Mi Ashwatthama Chiranjeev (I, Ashwatthama, the Immortal) by veteran playwright and author Ashok Samel, is soon set to grace the stage.

For anyone seeking to trace the footsteps of Ashwatthama in this modern Kali Yuga—and for every soul captivated by the mystery surrounding him—this production promises to be an absolute treat.