Theatre troupe Antorjatra mesmerized the audience with the performance of their latest monodrama, "Hidimba", at the Studio Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy yesterday. Written by Rubayet Ahmed and directed by Habib Masud, this captivating play delves into the fascinating story of Hidimba, a rakshasi character from the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata.

Under the brilliant portrayal of Farzana Mukta, the character of Hidimba comes to life on stage, highlighting the themes of sacrifice and discrimination faced by the Raksha community. In a daring move, Hidimba marries Bhima, the one who killed her brother, driven by her love for him. However, this union is not without conditions. Following the birth of their son, Ghatotkacha, Hidimba returns to her homeland, but tragedy strikes when Ghatotkacha falls in the Kurukshetra War, struck down by the weapon of Karna.

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Left alone and marginalized by society, Hidimba raises her voice against the discrimination faced by the Rakshasa community. This monodrama sheds light on her struggle against societal stereotypes and the quest for recognition and justice of the Rakshasa community.

Directing a monodrama centered around an epic character presented its own challenges, as acknowledged by Habib Masud, the director. However, the dedicated team members of Antorjatra worked tirelessly to bring this compelling play to life on stage.