Two bulls—a father and a son—are having a conversation inside a shed. The son wants to go abroad but lacks the necessary documents to apply for a passport. Being bulls, they are physically incapable of making a thumbprint, which has prevented them from obtaining any government-issued documents, including a passport. As a result, they begin exploring ways to acquire the documents. Eventually, they come up with a plan: to bribe a government official to get the passport issued.
All of this unfolds in the play Bayupankhi Buffalo, currently being staged at Kausi Theatre in Kathmandu.
Written and directed by debutant Kshitiz Parajuli, the play revolves around the journey of two bulls—played by Nishan Khatri (the son) and Rishikesh Basyal (the father)—who struggle to obtain government documents, despite having little to no chance of acquiring them.
Through its plot, the play highlights two major issues: the desperation among youth to leave the country in search of better opportunities, and the growing corruption within the system—both of which are pressing concerns in contemporary society.
Although these are serious issues, the director has interestingly chosen a comical approach to present them to the audience. Director Parajuli believes that messages should be delivered in a memorable way, and he feels that using comedy adds weight to the message. Moreover, his love for dark comedies also inspired this creative choice.
Diving into Bayupankhi Buffalo
Debutante writer and director Parajuli created this play for two main reasons: first, to gain experience, and second, to make something he himself would enjoy as a spectator.
“I want to make something that I want to see,” he says.
He wanted to avoid repeating what he has already seen or experienced as a theatre practitioner.
Speaking about the play, Parajuli adds, “Through this play, I want to offer enough substance for those seeking meaning to find it, while also ensuring that those who are not can still be entertained.”
As part of gaining experience, Parajuli experimented with several elements in Bayupankhi Buffalo, starting with the name of the play. Typically, the creators themselves decide on a title, but Bayupankhi Buffalo stands out in this regard. Instead of naming it themselves, the makers shared the play’s cover art and invited the audience to suggest a name based on it. They then selected the title they felt was the most fitting.
Parajuli also introduced another unique aspect to the play—not only to entertain the audience but also to help them understand more about theatre, particularly the process of creating a play. The production incorporates elements of meta-theatre, where at times, the actors perform as if the play is still in rehearsal.
“Rehearsal is a chaotic process—many things happen at once. I, as a person, am also quite chaotic; I thrive in chaos. So, I thought it would be fun and natural for me to explore that on stage,” says Parajuli.
Additionally, the play features a scene that introduces two popular contemporary artists, Rachana Dahal, played by Shila Niroula and Durgesh Thapa, played by Kabir Kafka. A video of this particular moment has been widely shared on social media by audience members. Parajuli believes that incorporating such elements not only entertains the audience but also makes the play feel more relevant to them.
Turning ideas into reality
After eight years of working in theatre, Parajuli was eager to step into a new role and explore fresh creative challenges, leading him to debut as a playwright and director.
He initially began writing the play and later shared the story with Nishan Khatri, who liked it. Parajuli then approached Rishikesh Basyal with the idea. Although Basyal was initially hesitant, he asked to read the script. Still, Parajuli had a strong feeling he would eventually agree to join the project.
“So, keeping both of them in mind, I wrote the script—and now, both are playing the protagonists,” he says.
With Bayupankhi Buffalo, Parajuli not only marks his entry as a playwright and director but also sets the tone for a new kind of theatrical experience—one that blends absurdity with reality, humor with critique, and simplicity with substance.
Whether you’re seeking laughter, meaning, or both, this play offers a fresh perspective on the pressing issues of our time, wrapped in the unlikely tale of two bulls chasing a dream.
Bayupanki Buffalo will run through May 17 at 5:15 pm at Katha Ghera, Kathmandu. There will be an additional show on Saturday at 1:00 pm.
