REVIEW / REPORT

Mayar Khela - A spectacle of exquisite dance and music

- Sujatha Ramanathan
e-mail: sujatharam13@gmail.com

October 5, 2026

On September 11, 2026, the Bal Gangadhar Auditorium in Mumbai came alive as the South Gurukul Cultural Society, under the initiative of Bahamana, presented Rabindranath Tagore's iconic opera, Mayar Khela. Brilliantly conceptualized and choreographed by Sutapa Talukdar, this Odissi dance production was a spectacular visual, lyrical, and musical feast. The performance seamlessly transported the audience into Tagore's magical world. Exploring human love, emotional confusion, and the illusion of desire, the production maintained a captivating pace with not a single dull moment.

The evening commenced with a duet performance by Namrata Mehta in Odissi and Prachi Saathi in Bharatanatyam. They began their performance with "Adhanarishwara". The performance brought out the nuances of both the graceful Odissi movements and firm geometric stances of Bharatanatyam that was elevated by their interpretation of the contrasting aspects of Shiva and Shakti.

The performance continued with solo presentation by each of the artistes. Prachi presented ‘Vrishanjali'. "Honoring the trees - for their unyielding strength, quiet generosity, and eternal connection to nature." Visualizing the majestic essence of trees, this choreography by Rama Vaidyanathan translates their physical form and natural presence into fluid movement. Prachi's performance channels this organic spirit, bringing the theme to vivid life on stage.

Dedicated to the mysteries of the zodiac, Namrata Mehta's presentation of ‘Arksh' offered a rare thematic experience, portraying the signs as jewels adorning the Goddess. The performance beautifully honored Daksha Mashruwala's choreography, translating the distinct personality of each zodiac sign purely through music and rhythm. The striking visual depictions - from the strength of the bull to the fatal sting of the scorpion - left the audience with a lasting impression.

Moving to the highly anticipated centerpiece, Mayar Khela is a production that brilliantly showcases the richness of the Odissi technique while retaining its core authenticity, breathing fresh life into the magical world of Rabindranath Tagore. The soothing musical score by Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar aptly allowed Tagore's essence to blend seamlessly with his own contemporary creativity. Complementing the music, the script by Sankha Ghosh beautifully preserved the poetic spirit and depth of the original narrative.

As the performance begins, the audience is instantly transported into an enchanted world by the vibrant entry of the Mayakumaris - the mysterious maidens of illusion. Overflowing with joy, these mystical figures cast their spell upon young men and women yearning for love, weaving enchanting moments that mirror the natural ebb and flow of human emotion. The core narrative revolves around a poignant love triangle involving three individuals. Amar, a handsome young man, and Shanta, a beautiful maiden, seem perfectly suited for one another until Amar begins to feel an elusive void. Driven by a longing to look beyond his immediate reality, he sets out on a quest and encounters Promoda, a captivating young woman surrounded by admirers. Upon seeing her, he realizes she is the one he has truly been searching for, a sentiment that Promoda soon reciprocates.

Mayar Khela

For Promoda, however, this encounter sparks a profound internal shift. The woman who once trifled lightly with the idea of romance discovers that she, too, has been caught in love's powerful spell. Finding an intense, unexpected affection for Amar, Promoda suddenly finds herself vulnerable, unable to control the dictates of her own heart. Ultimately, his distance from Shanta only makes Amar realize what his heart has truly been yearning for. Recognizing her unwavering devotion, he turns back to Shanta, who has steadfastly stood by him.

As Shanta and Amar are joyfully reunited, the resolution leaves a lasting impression - a poignant conclusion to a masterpiece that deserves to be witnessed by a much larger audience. Throughout the narrative, the Mayakumaris track these emotional transformations, continually weaving webs of confusion within the lovers' minds. The choreography designed for these maidens of illusion was wonderfully contrasting and energetic.

At times, the confusion that the Mayakumaris sow feels profoundly necessary. It serves to reinstate the vital importance of emotional certainty and remaining steadfast, irrespective of external circumstances. Their actions mirror the human condition, reflecting how our own minds frequently wander in a constant, restless search without realizing the value of what we already possess.

This delicate interplay of illusion and emotion forms the very heartbeat of Mayar Khela. The audience was completely cast under the spell of a spectacle where music, dance, dramatic expression, and costumes were woven together so seamlessly that one was left wondering which artistic element was conceived first. Every component of the performance flowed beautifully into the next, keeping the audience thoroughly captivated and eagerly anticipating what was in store.

The production's exquisite costumes designed by Sutapa Talukdar herself which were ranging from adaptations of Balinese styles to weaves of varied, rich textiles - were aptly styled to deeply enrich the overall visual experience. Both the headgears and ornaments drew beautiful inspiration from Southeast Asian traditions. Furthermore, the abstract forms of the Mayakumari costumes aligned perfectly with their ethereal characterization and mystical presence onstage.

The ensemble included dancers Sabarnik De, Srijoni Nnadi, Oishanee Bhattacharjee, Subhabrata Chatterjee, Souvik Kumar Modak, Anjistha Mallik, Anushka Banerjee, Priyosmita Podder, Rajveer Rana, Susnigdha Chakraborty, Subhadeepa De, Piyasi Banerjee, Ishani Boral, Sandhini Sengupta, Sipra Mal, and Chirasree Bhandari. The entire ensemble performed very well, demonstrating a deep, shared connection to the emotional spirit of the narrative. The main characters did complete justice to the intricate choreography and the profound thought process behind it. The grand finale, culminating in the resonant sounds of ghungroos, provided a magnificent and befitting conclusion to a performance that earned a well-deserved standing ovation for Sutapa Talukdar's masterfully directed Mayar Khela.

Sujatha Ramanathan is a versatile Mumbai based Bharatanatyam performing artiste, choreographer , trained in Carnatic music, Karanas, Natyashastra and Mohiniattam. She brings a unique, disciplined perspective to her dedicated practice as a full-time artiste.