Silver Stars

The 30 plays have come from 14 states and reflect a range of children’s concerns, from child labour to fantasy

Written by Dipanita Nath

New Delhi | November 2, 2014 01:08 AM IST

2 min read

Scenes from Mahabhoj (left); James Aur Ek Giant Peach

The old toyshop has been closed for 10 years and, behind the locked doors, a Barbie doll, a train, a parrot and a dog are getting bored. Where is their loving shopkeeper? Where have all the children gone? As the four toys step out and investigate, they take the play Khel-Na off on a rollicking ride full of fun and adventure. The hour-long production is a part of “Jashnebachpan”, a theatre festival for children, organised by the National School of Drama (NSD) in Delhi, from November 2 to 14.

The 30 plays have come from 14 states and reflect a range of children’s concerns, from child labour (Ji Aaya Sahab) to fantasy (James Aur Ek Giant Peach) to friendship (Mahabhoj) to adult-child relationships (Rekke Kathuvira) to education (Bharari),” says Waman Kendre, Director of NSD.

William Shakespeare, too, features in the line-up — the Kannada play Obbanobba Rajanidda is a retelling of King Lear, about an ageing monarch who decides to distribute his kingdom among his three daughters based on who loves him the most. The two elder girls express their affections in honeyed voices and sugary phrases while the youngest says simply that she loves him as much as any daughter would love her father. Lear, enraged by the plain words, casts her out, setting in motion a chain of dark and tragic events that includes every nightmare of a child’s horror story — from madness and destitution to deaths.

This is the 25th anniversary of Theater in Education, the children’s drama wing of NSD that organises the festival, and a new event has been added to the calendar. “The last three days of the festival will also feature a seminar, titled “Theatre for Children: Whose need is it”, with well-known theatre personalities such as Rudraprasad Sengupta, Bansi Kaul and Kanchan Sontakke on the dais,” says Kendre.

“Jashnebachpan” will be held from November 2 to 14 at the National School of Drama. Passes are free and available at the venue.

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Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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