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Synopsis Ratan Thiyam is one of India’s leading theatre directors. His Chorus Repertory Company has forged a reputation for its grand style of visually spectacular theatre, fusing intense dramatic energy with sheer professional skill to create unforgettable productions. Of these, Chakravyuha is a seminal play, which has been performed widely and won critical acclaim, including the Fringe First award at the Commonwealth Arts Festival in 1986. This volume undertakes a close study by Kavita Nagpal of Ratan Thiyam’s theatre, its history and development, based on intensive fieldwork and interviews. It includes the complete performance text of Chakravyuha along with photographs in colour and black-and-white. There are also detailed notes on the legend from the Mahabharata on which the play is based, for readers unfamiliar with the references to events and personalities. Kavita Nagpal is a well-known theatre critic and writer who has been widely published. The lengthy introduction by theatre critic Samik Bandyopadhyay, who has been a keen observer of Ratam Thiyam’s work over the years, contributes valuable insights to the undertanding of the play.