Inaugural staging of the play “Paro” from Patna, Bihar
Art will shape Chhattisgarh’s future — Garima Diwakar
Raipur |The six-day National 25th Theatre Festival 2026, organised under the aegis of the National School of Drama (NSD) and the Government of Chhattisgarh, was inaugurated for the first time in Raipur in a grand and dignified manner at the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium.The inaugural session began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, symbolising a shared celebration of theatre, literature, and folk sensibilities. The opening ceremony was attended by former NSD Director Devendra Raj Ankur, senior theatre artist Rajkamal Nayak, and special guest Shashank Sharma, President of the Chhattisgarh Sahitya Akademi, along with several eminent personalities from the fields of literature and theatre.In his address, Shashank Sharma described Chhattisgarh as a naturally rich and intellectually vibrant land, stating that the state has given new direction to literature and theatre. Remembering legendary theatre personalities Satyadev Dubey and Habib Tanvir, he termed their contributions as unforgettable.Renowned theatre artist Rajkamal Nayak said that theatre is the most powerful medium for artists to bring emotions and expressions to life, and such festivals infuse fresh energy into the creative community. Former NSD Director Devendra Raj Ankur, recalling his long association with Raipur, expressed special happiness that the festival was organised through Garima Diwakar, a student of NSD. He also shared that a special issue on Chhattisgarh will soon be published in NSD’s prestigious magazine “Rang Prasang”, which is a matter of pride for the state’s theatre movement.The vote of thanks for the inaugural session was delivered by Dr. Yogendra Chaube, Professor at Khairagarh University.
“Paro”, originated from the Theatrical Soil of Patna, Touches the Heart of Raipur
As the festival’s inaugural performance, the play “Paro” from Patna, Bihar, deeply moved the audience. Inspired by a novel by Baba Nagarjun and directed by Sharda Singh, the play stood as a powerful representation of Bihar’s fertile theatrical tradition, known for its deep engagement with social realities and human suffering.
Centered on pre-independence social evils, “Paro” poignantly portrayed issues such as discrimination based on appearance, gender inequality, and child marriage. Through the character of Paro, the inner emotions, helplessness, and shattered dreams of an adolescent girl were presented with intense sensitivity, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.At the conclusion of the performance, the auditorium resonated with standing ovations and applause for nearly five minutes. Overwhelmed by the audience’s love and appreciation, director Sharda Singh became emotional.
A Shared Rhythm of Language, Emotion, and Culture
The performance also highlighted the deep connection between the language, folk culture, and sensibilities of Chhattisgarh and Bihar. Folk dialects, women’s struggles, social conflicts, and human compassion resonate equally in the cultural soul of both states. “Paro” emerged as a living symbol of this shared cultural consciousness on the stage of Raipur.The national 25th Theatre Festival was not merely a theatrical event, but a bridge of dialogue, sensitivity, and equality between two cultural landscapes.Sharing further information, festival coordinator and renowned singer Garima Diwakar stated that over the next six days, artists from across the country will present performances on diverse themes. Through art, she said, the future of Chhattisgarh will be shaped and refined.
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