The many stories within ‘The Taste of Selroti’

A divorced couple grapples with unresolved grief and lingering connection over their deceased daughter's 10th birthday in the play 'The Taste of Selroti.' Set less than two years after their only child's passing, the ex-wife visits her ex-husband's apartment, where he prepares 'selroti,' a traditional Nepali dish.

The atmosphere is thick with tension as they share cigarettes and stories, their conversation revealing a deep need for resolution. The wife repeatedly attempts to leave, but her ex-husband's words and her own unresolved feelings pull her back. Despite her better judgment, she confronts the core issues of their estrangement.

Performances by Bedana Kheresungma Rai and Prayash Bantawa Rai are lauded for their convincing portrayal of the characters' psychological complexities. Neither partner has truly moved on, with the wife struggling to set boundaries and the husband persistently pushing them. Amidst their grief and moral ambiguities, a significant secret looms.

The play's narrative structure is unique, interweaving the couple's story with two other tales: 'Sumnima and Paruhang' from the Kirat Mundhum and 'Thebe,' an eastern Nepali folktale. These mythological stories, also performed by the lead actors, are presented through a combination of stage retelling and short films projected between acts. The story of 'Sumnima and Paruhang' is performed entirely in the Bantawa language with Nepali subtitles, while 'Thebe' is retold within the context of the Maoist civil war, highlighting the production's commitment to showcasing the Bantawa language and stories from the Kirat homeland.

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Bajey used to say selroti is a good gift for travellers. Making the selroti is also a story of travel, but the nice thing is, you start where you end. You always come back.