Naga-Mandala: Play with a Cobra

This play questions an essential principle in Indian society: who is the husband, the man who marries a girl and cares only for sexual excitement or one who takes care of her? Rani is a young bride whose husband Appanna spends most of his time with a concubine. Rani tries to win his affections, resorting to a love potion. However, she spills the potion on a nearby anthill and a cobra consumes it. Naga, the cobra, takes the form of a man and is completely smitten by Rani. He visits her each night in the form of her husband and Rani begins to experience a new life. She becomes pregnant and tells her husband the good news. He immediately calls her adulterous, revealing that he has not impregnated her. Soon, Rani s life turns upside down as she tries to prove her faithfulness. However, the Naga is still smitten by her and will do anything to keep her.