Sita’s Silent Strength: A Journey Through Exile

 

Known as India’s only surviving opera house, the Royal Opera House itself made the evening feel special even before the play began. On 2nd May 2026, I had the opportunity to watch Ank Theatre Group’s Sita Banbas, based on Agha Hashar Kashmiri’s 1928 retelling of the Uttar Ramayan. Watching a live performance in such a historic venue made the experience even more memorable.

From the very beginning, I felt drawn into the world of the play. The atmosphere, combined with the anticipation of the audience, made it easy to get completely absorbed in the story. What I found most interesting was how the play focused on Sita’s life after her exile, showing her not just as a mythological figure but as a strong individual dealing with injustice and difficult choices. This made the story feel more relatable and meaningful to me.

The performances really stood out. The actor playing Sita portrayed her emotions with subtlety and depth, making her pain and strength feel very real. I also liked how natural the interactions between characters felt. The scenes with Luv and Kush added a lot of emotional intensity and made me think more deeply about justice and duty. One moment that stayed with me was the climax, where everything came together so powerfully through the acting, lighting, and silence.

Some of the cast members included Priita Mathur Thakur as Sita, Aman Gupta as Ram,  Shankar Iyer as Guru Vashisht and Mukul Nag as Guru Valmiki.

As producer and actor, Preeta Mathur Thakur explains:

“Ram has always been seen as an ideal son, brother and king. But where was Sita in all this? What was her journey? Through this play, we rediscover Sita as not just a queen denied her rightful place but as a woman of extraordinary strength, patience and wisdom… embodying the ultimate goal of our land – mukti.”

The production itself was visually appealing. The sets were well-designed and helped bring the story to life, while the costumes added to the characters' authenticity. I especially noticed how lighting and music were used to highlight emotional moments, which made certain scenes even more impactful.

At a few points, the pacing felt slightly slow, and some scenes could have been tighter. However, this didn’t take away much from the overall experience.

In conclusion, Sita Banbas was a meaningful and engaging play that gave me a new perspective on a familiar story. It not only tells Sita’s story but also makes the audience reflect on themes like justice, identity, and strength in today’s context. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys thoughtful and well-performed theatre.