Chanda Bedhni is a story centered around love, deeply influenced by political conspiracies. It portrays the tragedy of love trapped between casteism and social hierarchy, where even love’s sacrifice and penance prove powerless in front of the rigid caste system.
The narrative reflects the clash between simplicity and conspiracy, where the innocence of love is crushed by political systems and social evils. A Bedhni not only entertains through dance and music, but when the time comes, she sacrifices everything and attains immortality.
This Nautanki not only provides entertainment but also showcases the rich folk traditions and culture of the region, evoking the earthy fragrance of both urban and rural soil.
Director
A versatile theatre practitioner, theatre director, music director, actor, and writer, Neeraj Kushwaha holds academic qualifications including B.Sc., Master’s in Sociology, and diplomas in Computer Science and Bhav Sangeet. He has been actively involved in Indian theatre, cinema, and television for over three decades.
He received formal acting training from Bharatendu Natya Akademi, Lucknow, and has worked with prestigious institutions such as Darpan, Kanpur and Gulab Theatre Company (Padmashri Gulab Bai).
He has been honored with several prestigious awards including Bharatendu Samman (2022), Natya Ratna (2010), and Acharya Hazariprasad Dwivedi Samman (2009). He has directed and staged more than 200 plays and has contributed to festivals and workshops organized by institutions such as the National School of Drama and Sangeet Natak Akademi.
His notable productions include Ghudsawar Matadeen, Katha Shivpal Ganj Ki, Shehar Kanpur: Krantiveer, Inspector Matadeen Chand Par, Lav Kush Gatha, Diksha, and Jadui Suit.
As an actor, he has worked in films and web series such as Tamanche, Tea for Taj Mahal, The Vaccine War, and the upcoming Baahubali-3.
Neeraj Kushwaha’s theatrical vision is rooted in the confluence of tradition and innovation. He specializes in presenting folk theatre forms—especially Nautanki—on the modern stage. He has also made significant contributions to street theatre, radio plays, and educational theatre focused on social issues.
He believes theatre is not merely entertainment, but a medium of public dialogue and social transformation. He has collaborated with several international theatre groups such as Clowns Without Borders (Sweden) and University of Minnesota (USA). As a music director, he has developed a distinctive style blending Indian folk melodies with classical traditions and continues to remain actively engaged in creation, direction, and training.
Writer
Alakhnandan was a distinguished playwright, poet, actor, and director. After extensive research into North Indian folk and traditional theatre forms, he recreated Bundelkhandi Swang on the contemporary stage with innovation.
He was a co-founder of Bharat Bhavan Rangmandal and served as Assistant Director under the legendary B. V. Karanth. He worked closely with eminent theatre personalities such as B. V. Karanth, K. N. Panikkar, and Fritz Bennewitz.
He received numerous prestigious honours including Shikhar Samman, Master Fida Hussain Narsi Samman, Shreshth Kala Acharya Samman (Madhuban, Bhopal), and the Lifetime Achievement Award (Rangdhar, Bhopal).
His published works include Chanda Bedhni, Ujbak Raja Teen Dakait, Swang Shakuntala (plays), Buddhi Bahadur, Moorkh Shiromani, Narad Ji Phase Chakallas Mein (children’s plays), and Ghar Nahin Pahunch Paata (a poetry collection).
Director’s Note
As always, there was much to learn from participants who came from various states of India for training. After reading several plays with the participants, the decision was made to stage Chanda Bedhni, written by Alakhnandan, originally in the Bundeli language.
The Director of the Academy, Shri Bipin Kumar, suggested that the play be performed in the Awadhi language and in the folk theatre style of Nautanki of Uttar Pradesh, to promote both the Awadhi language and Nautanki tradition. Accepting this suggestion as an instruction, the preparation process began immediately.
Performing a form like Nautanki with participants appearing on stage for the first time was like chewing iron chickpeas. However, seeing their enthusiasm, dedication, confidence, and hard work, the risk was willingly taken. All participants are appearing on stage for the first time and carry the heavy responsibility of Nautanki singing, acting, and dance on their shoulders. They only need your blessings.
We are grateful to Vijay Bhaiya, who accepted our request and wrote the Nautanki adaptation. The presentation is now before you.
Group
Rasrang Foundation, Kanpur (U.P.) is a registered non-government organization (registration copy attached) that has been actively working in the field of arts (theatre, Nautanki, folk songs, folk dance) for the past 30 years. The organization does not receive any grants and is entirely self-sustained through its own efforts.