Whenever one is under stress, the first response that comes to mind is fight or flight. In most cases, due to emotions like guilt, embarrassment, disgust, shame, and pride, one may choose flight.
When self-conscious and moral emotions remain unaddressed, confronting them becomes difficult—making it nearly impossible to fight back. Over time, this avoidance can develop into emotional triggers that hinder one’s personal growth.
Similarly, the characters Bhumi (Pabitra Khadka), Sagar (Sumit Bhandari), the Waitress (Suhana Acharya), and the Waiter (Govinda Oli) in the play Lost and Found, directed by Ghimire Yubaraj, are in a continuous process of losing and rediscovering the repressed and suppressed emotions and traumas life has dealt them.
The story is woven in such a way that the audience is swept along by the emotions expressed by these characters, often investing in them with personal feelings and deep sympathy. Moreover, the play explores broader themes of humanity, peace, and relationships. Lost and Found began its run on May 17 at Shilpee Theatre, Battisputali which is supported by the European Union.
On the stage
The experience begins in the newly renovated theatre, where the characters themselves welcome the audience—an especially memorable experience for those new to theatre. Once settled, the audience finds the stage set as a restaurant.
This is the space where 25-year-old tourist guide Bhumi—stateless, raised by a single mother, and living with multiple personality disorder—meets 48-year-old Nepali-Canadian tourist Sagar, who is on the brink of divorce and seeking peace, at a hotel café.
Bhumi leads Sagar through historical sites associated with Gautam Buddha, and in the process, they discuss life, love, freedom, and peace. Sagar is deeply drawn to Bhumi—who is philosophical, bold, bubbly, and straightforward—all at once.
The stage transitions from modern-day Tilaurakot to ancient times, and this transformation, enhanced by apt costumes and jewelry, along with the background subtitles and videos makes the play even more captivating.
One of the most striking elements of the production is the reimagining of Yashodhara’s perspective during Siddhartha Gautam’s exile in his quest to become the Buddha. The lighting and sound design heighten the emotional depth of these scenes.
A particularly moving moment is when Bhumi, dressed in ancient attire, plays with water as the bar table seamlessly transforms into a garden. This scene beautifully exemplifies the brilliance of set designer Anup Baral and light designer Barun Kar, who convincingly transport the audience from the modern era to ancient times.
Meanwhile, the two waiters frequently reappear as different characters, each time sharing new stories of life experiences that are both comic and tragic—offering moments of lightness and depth.
Exploring the stories of society
The director captures the subtle nuances of human behavior, culture, and politics through layered characters.
Through Sagar, he portrays the duality of a human being: a loving, supportive father who comfortably discusses menstruation with his daughter, yet also a man who abandoned his first love without ever checking on her well-being after his arranged marriage and move to Canada.
Through Bhumi, he reveals the vulnerability, insecurity, and emotional attachment of an independent woman—showing how unhealed wounds silently obstruct her growth.
The play explores complex themes—statelessness, identity crisis, migration, feminism, and socio-political issues—that at times risk overshadowing its central message: humanity.
However, the powerful performances of Pabitra Khadka, Sumit Bhandari, Suhana Acharya, and Govinda Oli, along with their synchronised and heartfelt dialogue delivery, keep the audience grounded and the play emotionally resonant.
If you too are willing to ride their emotional roller coaster, watch the drama continues till May 31. (Time: 5:15 pm and on Saturday additional show at 1 pm.)
