Nepal, Aug. 10 -- ean-Paul Sartre's 1946 play The Respectful Prostitute is a commentary on racism and justice in America's Deep South.

The French philosopher delved into existentialism, power, morality and oppression through characters and symbolism as literary devices. Now, the play finds resonance on a Kathmandu stage as Miss Menuka.

Pavitra Khadka's adaptation does not merely translate Sartre into Nepali, it allows the play to breathe in a different social and political landscape while preserving its moral urgency. Social injustice and discrimination is the same story wherever in the world it is told.

Khadka seamless grafts the plot into contemporary Nepal so that the French existential philosopher's questions belong here. It does ...