“Hum Bihar Mein Chunav Ladh Rahe Hain” is a satirical solo play inspired by Harishankar Parsai’s classic work, exploring the decay and absurdities of Indian politics. Through sharp wit, folk melodies, and physical theatre, the performer narrates the journey of a writer and God who descend to Bihar to contest elections.
As they encounter people of different social and political backgrounds, the play humorously reveals how caste, class, and opportunism dominate the political landscape, leaving little room for genuine values or reform. Beneath its laughter lies a deep reflection on the loss of faith in democracy and the moral disillusionment of the common citizen.
A vibrant mix of performance art, satire, and folk theatre, the play holds a mirror to our political reality — reminding audiences that the true reform of society begins not in elections, but in conscience.
Director
A graduate of the National School of Drama (NSD), he further honed his skills at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and later at the Central School of Speech and Drama, London, through a Charles Wallace India Trustfellowship.
He has performed in numerous productions by renowned directors and delivered over 921 solo performances of Hum Bihar Mein Chunav Ladh Rahe Hain across India and abroad. As a director, he has staged more than 42 plays, including Ghasiram Kotwal, Raag Darbari, Aadhe Adhoore, Romeo & Juliet, and An Accidental Death of an Anarchist.
He has conducted theatre workshops nationwide, written and directed children’s plays, and served as a lecturer in Acting, Voice, and Speech for the NSD Extension Program. His play Suryamukh was featured in the Best Plays of the Year Festival by Sahitya Kala Parishad, and his works are regular highlights of Bharat Rang Mahotsav.
Writer
Harishankar Parsai (1924–1995) was one of modern Hindi literature’s most celebrated satirists and humorists, known for his sharp wit and unflinching social commentary. Born in Jamani village near Itarsi, Madhya Pradesh, he earned an M.A. in Hindi from Nagpur University and later dedicated his life entirely to writing. Parsai’s works, marked by simplicity and depth, explored human nature, hypocrisy, and societal values through humor and satire. He founded the literary magazine Vasudha and wrote the popular newspaper column Poochhiye Parsai Se. In 1982, he received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his acclaimed satire Viklaang Shraddha Ka Daur, cementing his legacy as a voice of fearless truth and timeless relevance.
Director’s Note
“Hum Bihar Mein Chunav Ladh Rahe Hain” is more than a political satire — it’s a mirror reflecting the nation’s moral and social fabric. Inspired by Harishankar Parsai’s sharp wit and fearless insight, the play unveils the chaos, irony, and helplessness that define Indian politics.
As a director, I was drawn to its timeless message — where hope and despair coexist, and where even God and the writer must contest elections to seek truth and integrity. This idea, both absurd and profound, highlights our ongoing struggle to find meaning in a world steeped in cynicism.
Blending folk music, physical theatre, and humor, the solo performance moves effortlessly between laughter and introspection. Each performance urges the audience to question not just politics, but themselves — reminding us that we all fight our own elections between truth and deception, action and silence.
Group
Manch has performed over 960 shows of Harishankar Parsai’s acclaimed political satire Hum Bihar Mein Chunav Ladh Rahe Hain. Its major productions include Renu Ke Rang, Raag Darbari, Of Mice and Men, Sakharam Binder, Janch Padtal, Godan, and Aadhe Adhure.
Over the years, Manch has nurtured several notable artists such as Pankaj Tripathi, Randhir Kumar, Punj Prakash, Asmita Sharma, Sunil Bihari, Hemant Jha, and Late Shashi Bhushan, among many others.