An adaptation of Vijaydan Detha’s story, the playSwang – Jas Ki Tas unfolds in a village ruled by a powerful Thakur (landlord), notorious for his temper and irrational decisions. As the ruler of several villages, his word is law, leaving the villagers with no choice but to obey. One day, he issues a bizarre command: all water-filled wells in the village must be filled with sand. This order plunges the villagers into distress, threatening their survival.Desperate, the villagers turn to BadiMaaji, the Thakur’s mother, for intervention. In front of everyone, she scolds the Thakur, shaming him into storming away from his mansion in anger. Despite repeated pleas, he refuses to return. Eventually, at the request of Thakurani (his wife) and BadiMaaji, a respected Chaudhary from a neighbouring village is invited to persuade him. Through clever words, Chaudhary manages to bring the Thakur back. But the reunion is not without conflict as the Thakur, furious at being outwitted, threatens to kill Chaudhary. It is only through the pleas of his mother and wife that he spares him. Just as peace seems restored, the Thakur once again repeats his irrational command, leaving the villagers trapped in the same turmoil.Thus, the story reflects the cyclical nature of power, oppression, and helplessness, where the problem remains unchanged— “Jas ki Tas.”

Director

Akshay Singh Thakur embarked on his rang-yatra from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh in 2007. He became a part of various major theatre groups in Jabalpur, eventually establishing the Rangabharan Theatre Group in 2016. He has a Master’s degree in Theater Arts with a specialization in Design & Direction from the Central University of Hyderabad. In 2018-19, he studied Theatre arts at the Madhya Pradesh School of Drama (MPSD). Akshay has a Bachelor’s degree (B.F.A.) in Painting from Govt. College of Fine Arts, Jabalpur, and has delved into Indian Classical Music, achieving a Kala-Ratan (8 Years) Diploma in Tabla playing.He has worked in more than sixty plays under the direction of various eminent theatre directors of the country. As a director, his plays are Manthan, PremVisheshagya,Chainpur ki Dastan, Anokhi Pariksha, Hayavadana, Caucasian Chalk Circle, Men Without Shadows, Nyay ko Ghera (in Bundeli), Kisna Aur Chotuto name a few. He also wrote and directed the plays Riyasat-E-Vijayraghavgarh(In Bagheli) and Swang – Jas Ki Tas.

Akshay’s play Swang – Jas Ki Tas won awards in the category of direction, music, sound design, and ensemble at the META Excellence in Theatre Awards Festival, 2025.

Director’s Note:

For a long time, I have wished to bring this story to the stage through the folk theatre form of Swang, a rich, vibrant, and deeply rooted traditional form that is slowly fading in the present time. It is not merely a theatrical style, but a living medium connected to society, where songs, music, rhythm, humour, and performance come together to reflect social realities in a simple yet powerful way.Swang – Jas Ki Tas explores human nature, pride, stubbornness, ego, and the impact of decisions taken without reflection. While the narrative is filled with humour and music, beneath lies an invitation to think about how the actions of one individual can influence an entire community.For me, Swang is not only a cultural inheritance but also a means of dialogue. It speaks directly to the audience, creates a shared experience, and raises questions gently, without preaching. The form allows laughter to coexist with reflection.Through this production, I wish to honour the legacy of Swang and reaffirm its importance today, showing that folk theatre remains alive, meaningful, and capable of engaging contemporary audiences.

Group

Rangabharan Cultural and Social Organization, registered in 2017, is based in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. Many of its members are graduates of renowned institutions such as the National School of Drama, Madhya Pradesh School of Drama, Hyderabad Central University, and Tagore National School of Drama. The organization provides opportunities for youth to explore diverse areas of theatre, including direction, acting, stage design, theatre music, makeup, costume, and stage management, while also hosting seminars and discussions to raise social awareness. Noteworthy productions of the group are Baby, Kozni Kahan, Shobhayatra, Raktabeej, Hans Ki Layi Sunn, Ek Film Katha,and Mausaji Jai hindto name a few.