Nidravathwam to be staged at Ranga Shankara

Nidravathwam is a theatrical production about Kumbakarna and Lakshmana, brothers each to the two protagonists of the Ramayana, are connected by boons that dramatically alter their cycles of sleep and wakefulness. While Kumbakarna is granted continuous sleep for six months a year, Lakshmana is allowed to give up his sleep completely and bequeath it to his wife for the 14 years of his exile.
In the course of time, both boons seem to acquire the dimensions of a curse, as they each have an uncomfortable outcome. Although Kumbakarna enjoys his wakeful moments, delighting in each of his actions and catching up with all that occurred during the period of his sleep, there comes a point when sleep overcomes him again, interrupting this wakefulness. Lakshmana’s loss of sleep enables him to empower his regular actions with incredible fluid effortlessness. His dilemma lies in the unspecified nature of his boon and its potential long-term consequences.
When Kumbakarna and Lakshmana meet on the battlefield they discuss the unfortunate consequences of their respective boons -- and discuss how they can exchange them to the other's advantage.
The 55-minute-long English play, which is directed by Nimmy Raphel, will be staged at Ranga Shankara on February 20 and 21 at 7,30 pm.