On February 7, 2023, The National College, Autonomous, Basavanagudi performed Madhavi Andu Indu at the Sourabha 2023 State Level Inter-College Theatre Competition, directed by Siddarth Madhyamika and written by Bhishma Sahani. The play, based on a tale from the Mahabharata, centers on the character Madhavi, the daughter of King Yayati. In the original myth, Madhavi is given away by her father to Munikumar Galav as a part of his quest to repay a debt to his guru, Vishwamitra. Blessed with the ability to regain her virginity after childbirth, Madhavi is treated as an object to be exchanged between men, passed from one ruler to another to bear sons.

The play, however, shifts the focus to Madhavi’s perspective, portraying her as a tragic figure caught in the web of patriarchal society. Her autonomy and desires are continually suppressed as she fulfills the expectations placed upon her by men. Despite her divine powers, she becomes a tool for male ambitions, highlighting themes of exploitation, female agency, and sacrifice. In the end, disillusioned and weary, Madhavi walks away, rejecting the societal roles imposed upon her. This feminist retelling critiques the patriarchal structures prevalent in ancient stories, making it relevant to contemporary discussions on gender and power.