“I Don’t Miss Acting; Writing Completes Me”: Rameswari

Bhubaneswar: There was a time when Rameswari was known as a model and actress, gracing the ramps of Hyderabad and Kolkata before making her way into television serials and theatre. Today, however, she is earning applause for a different reason.

Having successfully reinvented herself as a writer, Rameswari is carving a niche in Odisha’s jatra industry with stories that resonate with audiences.

Her latest Jatra production, Abhimanini Mu Alakananda, staged by Konark Gananatya, has emerged as one of the popular attractions of the current jatra season. The emotional drama has been drawing enthusiastic crowds, adding another milestone to her growing journey as a writer.

Interestingly, writing was never part of Rameswari’s original career plan. While working in theatre, she penned a story and shared it with one of her teachers. Impressed by her storytelling, the teacher encouraged her to develop it into a jatra script instead of leaving it as a short story. The advice proved to be a turning point.

The result was Ranga Bazaar Ra Ranga Nayika, a powerful social drama centred on a widow who endures immense hardships but refuses to give up on life. The play highlights the strength, dignity and resilience of women in the face of adversity. Its emotional narrative and relatable characters had struck a chord with audiences across Odisha.

Staged by Shibani Gananatya in 2024, the play became a major success and established Rameswari as a promising writer in the jatra circuit.

Buoyed by the encouraging response, she continued writing and came up with Abhimanini Mu Alakananda, a play that explored the life of a young woman whose fascination with a novel transforms her personality. Inspired by the book’s central character, Alakananda, she gradually begins to live her own life as if she were the fictional heroine

Speaking about the difference between theatre and jatra, Rameswari says the two mediums have distinct styles of storytelling.
“Jatra is much more dramatic and action-oriented. The performances are larger than life, with heightened emotions and powerful dialogues designed to keep audiences engaged throughout the night. Theatre, on the other hand, is more composed and subtle. It relies on restrained performances, realistic emotions and nuanced storytelling. Both are beautiful art forms, but writing for jatra requires a different approach because the audience expects high drama, action and emotional intensity.”

Although many expected her to continue acting, life took an unexpected turn. A skin-related health problem restricted her acting career, forcing her to step away from the spotlight. Rather than allowing the setback to define her, Rameswari chose to redirect her creative energy towards writing.
She says she has no regrets about leaving acting behind. Now married and settled in her personal life, she finds fulfilment in storytelling.

For her, writing has become more than a profession—it is a new identity that allows her to connect with audiences in a different yet equally meaningful way.

The journey from model to actress and finally to writer reflects Rameswari’s resilience and willingness to embrace change. Every phase of her career has contributed to the storyteller she has become today.

Looking ahead, she is already working on another jatra script. At the same time, she is in discussions with film producers about writing the story and screenplay for a feature film. With her growing reputation as a writer and an eye for compelling narratives, Rameswari is eager to explore new creative avenues beyond the jatra stage.

For someone who once captivated audiences through her performances, Rameswari is now discovering that stories can be just as powerful when told through the written word. Her journey is a reminder that success is not always about staying in the limelight; sometimes, it is about finding a new stage where one’s creativity can truly flourish.