Sita and Urmila Unheard Conversations

The Great Indian Theatre Company’s Sita and Urmila Unheard Conversations is a retelling ion the Indian Epic Ramayana from the perspective of two of its female characters, women who are often overlooked in retellings despite making huge personal sacrifices. 

This beautiful looking epic play is simply staged, with simple elements and carry-on set pieces allowing the play to flow through multiple locations. Elegant but unimposing set pieces allow costumes by Param Kaur and Sreekanth Gopalkrishnan to shine, while powerful lighting choices by Katie Southwell support the plot well.

Sisters Sita (adopted under quite magical circumstances) and Urmila are beautifully played by Prakriti Rayamajhi and Karthika Nair, who not only give us a tangible sisterly relationship, but portray these women over a fourteen-year period, in which they both face huge and very different challenges. Compelling performances from both women.

Lovely casting and acting for the brothers whom the girls marry. Very believable as siblings, Amal Sajeev brings regal bearing and attitude to rightful crown prince Ram, denied his throne and sent into exile, while Aryan Menon is steadfast and loyal as protective younger brother Laxman.

In smaller roles, Deepti Shukla brings elegance and gravity to her roles of Goddess Nidra and Marich, dancing beautifully. Akshay Sheela Nair has great charm and presence as talking monkey Hanuman, with Ashish Malik and Wilfred Doray excellent in the remaining roles.

Running at almost two hours without an interval, it ran very smoothly despite being quite episodic, with scene changes swift and efficient. Musical accompaniment was traditional in nature and added to the emotive arc. Dancing throughout was excellent, as choreographed by Sindhu Nair.

The Great Indian Theatre Company is fast becoming a beloved and important part of Perth’s theatrical landscape, producing quality productions with a different and refreshing style.

Kimberley Shaw