Yogi vs Bhogi

Yogi vs Bhogi is a free adaptation of the 7th-century play Bhagavadajjukam (Sanskrit, ‘bhagavat’—hermit; 'ajjuka'—harlot), also known in English as The Ascetic and The Courtesan. One of the oldest surviving plays in Sanskrit literature, it is a fine example of a "prahasana," or farce. Layered in witty exchanges about dharma, it is centered around the transmigration of souls between the two titular characters leading to confusion and chaos for the supporting characters who have no answer to the absurdity of it all.

Through this retelling in English, Mahesh Dattani plays around with the idea of gender: its expression, perception, spectrum and the exploration of what one truly is with a confrontation of stereotypes using humour and catharsis. Infused with Yakshagana, the play comes alive when the classic Sanskrit text and the physicality of theatre gels seamlessly with the traditional dance theatre form from coastal Karnataka.