Kattaikkutu Sangam, a performing arts organisation focusing on teaching and performing Kattaikkutu theatre, presents DRAUPADI KURUVANCHI. The organisation is managed by professional Kattaikkuttu performers. The folk theatre adaptation throws light on an almost forgotten episode during the Mahabharata called Virata Parvam. It started when the Pandavas had finished their fourteen-year forest exile, and were returning back to the village. Duryodhana with the help of Shakuni and the rest of the Kauravas schemed to destroy their plans. The play tells the story of Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, who quests to subvert their plans by taking the form of a Kuratti - who is a member of the Kuravar clan famous for fortune telling, traditional tattoos and knowledge of indigenous medicine. She prevents the Kauravas from carrying the funeral rites for her husbands.

The drama is performed in Kattaikkuttu, which is the folk theatre form of Tamil Nadu. While traditionally a male-dominated theatre form, this adaptation includes two girls as well. The name of the art form is derived from two words- Kattai or kattai samankal, which means the wooden head, shoulder and the breast ornaments that the performers wear; and kuttu means theatre. It is believed that the kattai-wearers represent superhuman warriors, and are either divine or demonic. Nearly all the performances are built around mythological battles.

The performers sing themselves and are supported by musicians playing the harmonium, mridangam and the mukavini. The audience sits on all three sides of the stage, where the play starts with a musical introduction and songs in praise to different deities.

DRAUPADI KURUVANCHI will be staged at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales museum), on March 6 from 6pm to 7pm.

Musicians:
Harmonium - R. Balaji
Mrdangam/dholak - A. Dillibabu

Actors:
Draupadi-Tne-Kuratti - S. Tamilarasi
Kattiyakkaran (Clown) - M. Duraisamy
Queen Bhanumati - L. Sivasakthi
King Duryodhana - K. Radhakrishnan