Patnaites Artistes Perform on Stage in Prayagraj

The vibrant theatre community of Patna made a remarkable impression in Prayagraj as artistes from the city delivered powerful performances at the Praveen Smriti Natya Utsav 2025, organised by Praveen Cultural Stage, Patna (Bihar). The festival is being hosted at the North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj from December 10 to December 14.

**Classic Play Gunda Opens the Festival with Impact**

The opening evening featured the staging of “Gunda,” one of Jaishankar Prasad’s classic works, adapted for theatre by Abhijeet Chakravarti and directed by Vijyendra Tank.

The event was inaugurated by Sudesh Sharma, Director, NCZCC, who lit the ceremonial lamp. Senior theatre personalities Atul Yaduvanshi, Alok Nair, and noted theatre critic Alok Padakar graced the occasion as guests.

The play, set in the late 18th-century Kashi, narrates the life of Babu Nanhaku Singh—a well-built 50-year-old man clad in a Nagpuriya dhoti and carrying a bichchu booti and garasa. Known in society as a “gunda,” Nanhaku Singh was in reality a man of compassion, sacrifice, and service. He spent his wealth helping the poor, arranging marriages for young women, and supporting widows.

Despite his rugged appearance and habits—like listening to the songs of dancer Dulari Bai, smoking chilam, and exercising—he remained a man of deep values. When the 1781 Kashi Doctor Doll movement erupted and King Chait Singh was imprisoned by the British, Nanhaku Singh emerged as a lone warrior who dared to stand against colonial rule.

The emotional depth and thought-provoking dialogues of Gunda left the audience spellbound, earning widespread appreciation. Theatre critic Alok Padakar, present as a guest, particularly praised the performances of the Patna artistes.

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Kuchchi Ka Kanoon Delivers a Stirring Social Message

On the second day of the festival, the troupe staged “Kuchchi Ka Kanoon,” based on a story by renowned writer Shivmurti. The play was directed by Bijendra Kumar Tank and presented a hard-hitting narrative examining societal norms and gender discrimination.

The story follows Kuchchi, a widowed woman who asserts her right to motherhood on her own terms. When she becomes pregnant without remarriage, the village and its panchayat attempt to label her “illegitimate.” Yet, Kuchchi stands firm—fighting for her dignity, for her child, and for control over her own body.

Dialogues like—
“When my hunger is not the hunger of the village, how can anything I do bring shame to the village, Baba?”—
shook the conscience of the audience and exposed deep-rooted patriarchal attitudes that suppress women’s agency.

The audience responded with heartfelt applause, recognising both the emotional power of the story and the strong performances by the cast.

The Praveen Smriti Natya Utsav 2025 continues to showcase meaningful theatre, with Patna’s artistes winning admiration in Prayagraj for their compelling performances and socially relevant themes.

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