Sita Ka Swayamwar happens in Bhopal this time

Taking a leaf out of epic Ramayana,

Sita ka Swayamvar

chapter was presented in Bhopal, in 'Maach' folk theatre style.

Maach

, which is a word derived from manch which means stage, it is among one of the styles from

Malwa

region of MP.
Directed by Krishna Verma, around 18 artistes of Malwa Lok Kala Samiti enacted the story from Ramayana, wherein Sita chooses her husband at a swayamvar ceremony. The act was written by eminent writer

Siddheshwar Sen

, who has scripted over 125 plays in maach theatre. He was famous for adding classical and folk melodies of the region into his plays.

The play begins with the arrival of King Janak, father of Sita, to preside over the swayamvar. Many kings from various kingdoms had also come to take part in the swayamvar to marry Sita. Rama and Lakshman, accompanied by their guru Rishi Vishwamitra, also arrive. At the commencement, King Janak announces that whosoever wishes to marry my daughter should lift the up the special bow and wield it with an arrow. The special bow was given to King Janak by Parshuram, who in turn had received it from Lord Shiva himself.

Many kings attempt to lift the bow including Ravana, but no one succeeds. Then Rishi Vishwamitra urges Rama to go ahead and lift the bow. Rama takes his guru's blessing and with a single hand lifts the bow and as he is about to set an arrow to it, the bow breaks in to pieces with a thunderous sound. Raja Janak is very pleased, and Sita garlands Rama in an indication of choosing him as her husband.