ଆହେ ନୀଳ ଶଇଳ
Ahe Nila Shaila

Set in the turbulent 18th century, "Ahe Nila Shaila" chronicles one of the most poignant and valorous chapters in the history of Odisha. When the ruthless Naib Nazim of Cuttack, Mohammed Taqi Khan, launched a fierce campaign to plunder the holy Srimandir and take away the sacred deities, the sovereign rulers and servitors of Puri stood resolute.

At the center of this monumental drama was Gajapati King Ramachandra Deva II of Khordha. Choosing sacrifice over surrender, the Gajapati and the temple Sevaks orchestrated a daring, clandestine operation to smuggle the holy Chaturdhamurti (Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Sudarshana) out of Puri under the cover of night, sheltering them in the secluded islands and secret hills of Chilika Lake (Tikira, Nairi, and Banapur).

Directed by noted theatre director Lala Biren Ray and produced by Choklate Productions, the play transformed Rabindra Mandap into an emotionally charged temple courtyard where viewers wept, applauded, and chanted "Jai Jagannath" as the curtains fell.