Siberian Epic 'Faces of Olonkho' Captivates Indian Audiences at Bharat Rang Mahotsav

• 'Faces of Olonkho', directed by Mariia Markova, brought the ancient Sakha (Yakut) epic tradition to India's Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026.
• The play, performed in Russian, blends myth, music, and movement within a contemporary theatrical framework, offering South Asian audiences a unique cultural experience.
• Olonkho, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, is a vast body of oral epic poetry from Yakut cosmology, with some poems predating the 14th century.
• The narrative follows warrior heroines Dzhyrybyna Dzhyrylyatta and Kyys Debiliye restoring cosmic balance after dark forces abduct Syralym Kuo, culminating in a traditional Yakut festival of renewal.
• The production uses physical storytelling, traditional costumes, live music, and even a Hindi film song to bridge linguistic gaps and engage the Indian audience, fostering cultural exchange.