Root Cause

My work is a mission,deeply grounded in various aspects of Indian traditional and contemporary theatre,one that opens a fascinating new world of discoveries for me,'' Bhanu Bharti...

Working with tribal & folk artists for decades now,veteran theatre director Bhanu Bharti,talks about the urgent need to look for inspiration from our rich tradition

My work is a mission,deeply grounded in various aspects of Indian traditional and contemporary theatre,one that opens a fascinating new world of discoveries for me,” Bhanu Bharti,eminent theatre director,who has choreographed Loktarang the National Folk Dance Festival,which is travelling outside Delhi for the first time and is on at Mohali,talks about his work spanning more than 35 years. A graduate from the National School of Drama,Bhanu has directed more than 70 plays and has extensively studied the traditional theatre of Japan and also the life and art of the Bheel tribe of Rajasthan. His work with folk performers is a mission,for Bhanu rues the manner in which they are presented in urban areas,”it’s pathetic,boring and uninspiring,an absolute opposite of what they and their art really is,” Bhanu’s happy that with the festival having travelled Jaipur and now in Mohali,a larger audience will get a feel of the mind-blowing performance of as many as 450 folk dancers of the country,each uniquely talented. Using state-of-the-art lighting systems,modern sound effects,a multi-level stage,the result has been simply fantastic,Bhanu is quick to add that the costumes,steps,music,hasn’t been tampered with and the character of the art remains intact. “Why should they be denied technology?,” Bhanu is happy to be back in Chandigarh,which he says has a sensitivity for culture and art.

Having travelled with Habib Tanvir to the interiors of Chhattisgarh,Bhanu recalls how they accidentally discovered Teean Bai and how his interaction with the Bheels opened before him a world of rituals and their live connection with the community,which the modern man has lost. “We have such an old tradition in theatre and my attempt has been to recreate and reconstruct. I don’t know why we have to look towards the West for inspiration,for we have a tradition that can’t die,it’s intact and interacting,” Bhanu’s productions,Pashu Gayatri,Kaal Katha and Amar Beej are based on rituals of the Bheel tribe and he says working with them makes one feel inadequate,for the deeper you explore the heritage,the more you realize how little you know. “It expands my horizon and my work with them complements my theatre and vice-versa,” Bhanu’s group Aaj is these days working on a festival of plays,each exploring a variety of subjects,which will also be staged in Chandigarh.

Loktarang will be inaugurated by Ambika Soni at Dussehra Ground,Phase VIII,Mohali on February 6 at 7 pm.

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

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