Tukku, the uneducated son of a rich landlord, spends his life flying kites and playing street games. A clever fortune-teller (Najumi) sees an opportunity and convinces him that he is destined to become a high officer in the imperial court. With a royal seal and sheer luck, Tukku rises to power despite his complete incompetence.
In the court, only the Maskhara (clown) recognizes Tukku’s foolishness. When Tukku is asked to present a poem to the Nawab, his illiteracy is exposed – though temporarily saved by the Budha Afsar. Before the truth can surface, rebels overthrow the Nawab. Ironically, impressed by Tukku’s supposed “wisdom,” the new ruler makes Tukku the next Nawab.
A sharp, humorous satire on power, chance, corruption and political absurdity.
Director
Theatre Director • Designer • Visualizer
(August 23, 1949 – February 6, 2021)
Born in Srinagar, Bansi Kaul was one of India’s most influential theatre directors and the Founder Director of Rang Vidushak (1984, Bhopal). He developed a unique performance idiom rooted in Indian folk traditions, akhada, natgiri, bahurupia and indigenous physical forms – creating a theatre language that transcended linguistic and cultural boundaries. A tireless traveller and researcher, he worked extensively across India with actors, children, prisoners and marginalized communities, believing theatre to be a medium of total education and social transformation. His work helped bring thousands of children and young people into creative and educational mainstreams.
As a space designer and visualizer, he conceived and executed major national and international cultural spectacles including Festivals of India in several countries, Edinburgh Mela, Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay (2010), BRICS U-17 Football Tournament, South Asian Games, India–Africa Forum Summit, and many other landmark events.
He directed 30+ major theatre productions including Andha Yug, Rang Birange Jute, Gadhon Ka Mela, Sidi Dar Sidi urf Tukke Pe Tukka, Kahan Kabir, Zindagi Aur Jonk, and celebrated Hindi adaptations of Peer Gynt and Don Quixote. He served as Professor at NSD, Director of Shri Ram Centre, and held key advisory roles in major cultural institutions. His honours include Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kalidas Samman, Safdar Hashmi Award, and many other national recognitions.
Bansi Kaul believed theatre is not just performance – it is celebration, education, and a way of life.
Group
Founded in 1984 and formally established as an independent theatre group in 1986 by Bansi Kaul, Rang Vidushak believes in celebrating life through laughter, color and collective joy. Its theatre is rooted in questioning society rather than preaching reform, using the Vidushak (clown) as a medium to awaken, provoke and gently disturb complacency.
Over the years, Rang Vidushak has evolved a distinct performance style and training methodology based on Indian art forms, folk traditions, physical theatre, indigenous games, akhada, natgiri and dialects – developing a body language that crosses linguistic barriers. Its workspace functions as a “laboratory for clown-theatre”, where a full-time core group and the evening group coexist.
Rang Vidushak has grown into a shrine for artists – a space for artistic growth, discipline and creative exploration. It has trained over 1000 actors through 70+ workshops across India, including extensive work with children, underprivileged communities, prison inmates, and socially marginalized groups.
The group has 45+ productions, 450+ performances in India and abroad, Organized 60+ theatre festivals and exhibitions without government funding.