Veera Rani Abbakka: Queen of the Seas

Veera Rani Abbakka: Queen of the Seas is a historical Hindi play that tells the story of Queen Veera Abbakka of Ullal, a 16th-century ruler who challenged Portuguese expansion along India's western coast.

At a time when Portuguese forces sought control over maritime trade and spice routes, Abbakka refused to surrender her people's sovereignty. Despite political opposition and betrayal within her own household, she strengthened Ullal's defences, built a formidable navy and formed an alliance with the Zamorin of Calicut to challenge Portuguese trading dominance.

The play follows her daring military strategies, including guerrilla attacks and the confrontation with Portuguese forces at Mangalore Fort. It also explores the personal and political conflicts that threatened her rule, portraying a leader who placed the freedom of her people above political convenience.

Drawing inspiration from Yakshagana, Karnataka's traditional folk theatre, the production combines oral history, dramatic storytelling, movement and theatrical spectacle to bring Abbakka's resistance to life.

Creative Team:

• Written, designed and directed by: Priita Mathur Thakur

• Dialogue writing: Richa Sharad

• Set design: Atul Tiwari

• Costumes: Mala Dey

• Soundscape: Aman Gupta

• Dance choreography: Tanusree Gupta

• Lighting design: Shivaji Shinde

Presented by NCPA in collaboration with Ank Theatre Group as part of Stage 50 – The Dinesh Thakur Legacy Festival, the production commemorates 50 years of Ank Theatre Group. It offers audiences an opportunity to discover the story of a remarkable Indian queen whose resistance to colonial power preceded the rise of the British East India Company.