Kokua

“Kokua” by Bijoy Kumar Satpathy is a play that delves into contemporary social issues, particularly those affecting tribal communities, through the lens of Indian mythology. The title character, Kokua, is a frightful and mysterious figure from the Mahabharata, specifically well-described in Sarala Das’s Odia Mahabharata. This mythical character is said to appear when the world is consumed by doubt, disbelief, terror, murder, and anarchy. The play is set in Dhamaguda, a tribal village, and explores the negative impacts of industrial growth and development on the tribal people. It highlights how these communities lose their land, rivers, forests, and traditional lifestyles, leading to the pollution of their minds and the deprivation of their natural rights. The narrative features characters like Shyamananda, who runs an ashram and initially aims to guide students towards non-violence, only to see his dreams shattered. His disciples, Atanu and Ajay Marandi, diverge into becoming a police inspector and a Naxal leader (Area Commander) respectively, reflecting the societal conflicts. Shibu (Sadashiba Rao) is another character who supports the Maoist movement. Essentially, “Kokua” is a social tragedy that uses mythological elements to comment on modern-day struggles, particularly the displacement and exploitation of tribal populations in the face of industrialization and the rise of extremism.