Indore (Madhya Pradesh): “Every moment offers a choice between good and evil; choose wisely.” These powerful words echoed through Labh Mandapam auditorium as FLO Indore presented a compelling theatrical production on the occasion of Mother’s Day. The spotlight shone on Kaikeyi: The Misunderstood Mother, a powerful monologue performed by the talented Anjana Chaandak.
Reimagining one of mythology’s most controversial maternal figures, Chaandak portrayed Kaikeyi not as a villain but as a woman caught in a storm of love, duty, and promises made long ago. Over 600 FLO members and their families were transported to the royal halls of Ayodhya, where Kaikeyi’s inner conflict played out with poetic emotion and fierce grace.
The monologue presented a lesser-known perspective: That King Dasharath, who had already married 350 queens, approached Kaikeyi’s father with a promise, her son Bharat would inherit the throne. When Dasharath named Ram as his successor, Kaikeyi was left feeling betrayed.
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In a stirring moment, her maternal instinct surfaced - not out of hatred for Ram, whom she loved - but out of loyalty to her son’s rightful claim. Isolated and manipulated by Manthara, Kaikeyi invoked her two fateful boons: Bharat’s coronation and Ram’s exile.
The play revealed these actions were not rooted in jealousy but in strategy: Seven years for Ayodhya to accept Bharat, seven more for him to rule with strength and wisdom.
Anjana Chaandak’s nuanced portrayal challenged the audience to reevaluate Kaikeyi’s legacy, not as a scheming stepmother, but as a woman navigating broken promises and societal constraints. Her final lines left the audience hushed and introspective: “In life, every choice matters. Listen to your heart. Choose righteousness.”
FLO Indore chairperson CA Shweta Agrawal hailed the event as “an ode to the quiet strength of mothers and a reminder to lead with empathy, courage, and integrity.” Past chairs Payal Agarwal and Mamta Bakliwal were also present and praised the performance for evoking deep emotional and cultural resonance.
More than a play, FLO’s presentation served as a mirror, reflecting the difficult choices every woman, every mother, must face.
