Kathmandu, August 20
The Department of Major Arts at St. Xavier’s College, Kathmandu, has begun its three-day theatre run of Bichitra Baje. It is a Nepali adaptation of Gabriel García Márquez’s acclaimed short story A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings.
The first show took place on Thursday at Miller Hall, Loyola Campus, Thapathali.
There will be two more shows on August 21 at 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., and the final two shows on August 22 at 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Written by Kritika Koirala and Raunak Karki, two students in the Department of Major Arts, Bichitra Baje sets the story in a Nepali setting. It follows a village that encounters a mysterious old man with wings. As the villagers react to his arrival with curiosity, fear, faith, and exploitation, the play explores kindness, compassion, and how people treat those who are different from them. The story also follows Punam, a young girl who responds to the old man with care and respect.
The production is a student-led initiative, with students taking responsibility for different aspects of the play under their teachers’ guidance and mentorship. From acting and writing to stage preparation and props, students have been actively involved in bringing the production to life. The handmade props, in particular, reflect their creative effort and hands-on involvement. Working together throughout the production has also helped them strengthen their teamwork, coordination, and ability to work as a group.
This play is part of the students’ academic engagement with drama. It aims to give them practical experience in theatre, while also creating a space for students to develop their confidence, creativity and teamwork.
A special feature of this year’s play is its focus on accessibility. The department has set up live audio descriptions for visually impaired audience members. A volunteer will describe key visual parts of the performance, such as movements, expressions, costumes, and actions, using a live Google Meet session. Earphones and internet access will be provided to help with this service.
Fr. Dr Augustine Thomas, S.J., Principal of St. Xavier’s College, said, “Bichitra Baje is a remarkable example of how our students can transform a powerful literary work into a meaningful theatrical experience. The play invites us to look beyond appearances and differences and rediscover the value of human dignity. I am proud of our students for using the stage to make us reflect on what it means to be truly human.”
Shishir Kumar Bhusal, Head of the Department of Major Arts, said, “It is so heartwarming to witness the play performed by our students here at St. Xavier’s College. The play, Bichitra Baje, stages why human literacy, empathy, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal communication are significant to discuss in today’s society.”
