Actress Kalidasi Mondal dies after being bitten by a snake used as a prop
Actress Kalidasi Mondal, who plays the role of ‘Ma Manasa’ – Goddess of Snake, every year died when a live snake bit her during the performance. The 63-year-old actress used to act with two artificial snakes every year but this time the play decided to incorporate real snakes that cost them the actress’ life.
The incident occurred at Barunhat village in Hasnabad police station, West Bengal, area last night. When the snake bit the actress, she was taken to the nearby hospital where she was declared brought dead. However, Mondal’s co-actress reveals that before taking her to the hospital, an ‘Ojha’ tried to cure her.
People in many areas of India believe that an ‘Ojha’ can cure a person with snake bite by chanting ‘mantra’ and using herbs. Questions are being raised if performing with live snakes was allowed or not. Many performers made sure that the fangs of the snakes are removed before being used in the live plays.
The police have revealed that no complaint has been lodged yet but they are investigating the matter. Local people have asked to arrest the faith-healer as the actress was taken to the hospital late because that Ojha was trying to heal her.
The snake was required in the ‘jatra’ (rural theatre) as it was based on ‘Manasamangal Kavya’, a medieval era literature that narrates the story of how snake goddess Manasa establishes her worship in Bengal. Basirhat police district SP, S Rajkumar, confirmed the incident and said the body has been sent for post-mortem examination
