Uttar Pradesh is set to roll out an ambitious theatre outreach programme titled ‘Ek Janpad, Ek Natak’ (One District, One Play) starting in August, aiming to bring professionally produced plays on historical figures and significant events to audiences across all 75 districts. The initiative, which has received in-principle approval from the state government, will utilize travelling productions, local theatre groups, and digital platforms to engage the public, particularly the youth.
Statewide Cultural Outreach
The ‘Ek Janpad, Ek Natak’ initiative is designed as a comprehensive cultural outreach effort to connect the younger generation with India’s freedom movement, literary heritage, and historical legacy. The programme proposes to feature plays on prominent personalities such as former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Veer Savarkar, as well as on landmark events like the 1857 Revolt and the Kakori Train Action. Other historical figures slated for inclusion are Jhansi ki Rani, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and Maharaja Suheldev.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, the proposal was prepared by the Bhartendu Natya Academy (BNA) in Lucknow. Officials stated that the government aims to launch the initiative in August, with each district scheduled to host a two-day performance. The selection of plays will be based on eight approved themes, with the content linked to the region’s history and cultural heritage.
Selection and Support for Troupes
The selection process for theatre troupes will involve a screening of applications from registered groups, with scrutiny by district-level committees and evaluation by experts. Financial support will be provided for playwrights, directors, actors, musicians, and technical staff, including honorariums and remuneration. A key feature of the proposal is the creation of flagship productions that can travel across districts. Three such flagship productions are planned, focusing on Vajpayee, Maharaja Suheldev, and ‘Anandmath’, the novel by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. Special emphasis is being placed on a play about Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s life and political journey, with plans for it to be staged across multiple districts on his birth anniversary, December 25.
Digital Integration and Objectives
In addition to live performances, select productions may be made available on YouTube and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms, transforming theatre into a year-round cultural movement. The initiative is intended not just as a theatre programme but as a structured cultural outreach effort to convey stories of the freedom movement, literary heritage, and civilisational values directly to young audiences across Uttar Pradesh. The objective is to foster patriotism, historical pride, and cultural unity among the state’s youth.
The Uttar Pradesh government plans to organize these performances in schools, universities, museums, cultural centres, historical sites, and auditoriums across all districts. The initiative aims to reach between five to ten lakh youth. Research, script development, and artist selection are slated to begin in June 2026, with rehearsals in July. The first major staging is anticipated in Lucknow in August 2026, followed by performances in educational institutions from August to November 2026, and at historical and cultural sites from December 2026 to February 2027.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
