How a street play is raising awareness about coronavirus

COVID-19 has a sociocultural message for humanity in Swatantra Theatre’s new play, Shehar-e-Naqab, which will be available online

Pune theatre, Swatantra Theatre, pune theatre play, coronavirus, pune theatre coronavirus play, Shehar-e-Naqab, indian express

Scenes from Shehar-e-Naqab.

We have met before in other places, at other times. Once, I came as the plague and, again, as swine flu. I have visited you as many other illnesses but you kept forgetting my powers. If you had remembered, I would not be visiting Earth again,” says Coronavirus, a protagonist in a scene from Shehar-e-Naqab. The new play by Pune-based Swatantra Theatre was planned to spread awareness on the city streets but has moved online as cases of COVID-19 in the city grew. Shehar-e-Naqab will be available on the theatre group’s YouTube channel from this weekend.

In February, Swatantra Theatre was invited to the Bharat Rang Mahotsav, the prestigious theatre festival of the National School of Drama in Delhi. They performed Jaag Utha Hai Raigad, Vasant Kanetkar’s classic about the family politics in Shivaji’s household. A little more than a week ago, India had reported its first case of COVID-19 and the group began to think of a street play around the disease. The script, peppered with references to mythology and history, traces the disease to the conflict between nature and mankind.

“Human beings forgot that they were a part of nature and not nature itself. We ignored the signs of climate change, felled trees and killed animals indiscriminately, driving many to extinction. The coronavirus is one of the results of this attitude. Today, the entire world has been driven indoors and who can we blame but ourselves?” says director Abhijeet Choudhary. He trained in theatre in Delhi, with the activist group Asmita, and founded Swatantra Theatre with Dhanashree Heblikar and Yuwaraj Shah in Pune in 2005. The group performs thought-provoking and socially-conscious plays for the stage as well as street productions around issues such as trafficking and road rage.

Social distancing has meant that the performers create a style that marries elements of street and stage theatre with the demands of filmmaking. Shehar-e-Naqab features the exaggerated body movements of nukkad natak but the dialogue delivery is toned down to suit an enclosed space. “We don’t want people to forget that they are watching a filmed version of a street play. We have included theatrical songs with lyrics such as Sooraj bhi dhundhla ho gaya hai / raatein jagney lagi hain (The sun has blurred/ the night has woken up),” says Choudhary.

Several scenes have been inspired by true events, such as exams getting cancelled and weddings postponed. In a humorous episode, a couple gets married via video conferencing. “We felt it was important to show how COVID-19 has also fuelled our discriminatory attitude. Foreigners and people who have returned from abroad are being shunned and anybody coughing or sneezing is being treated like a pariah. There is a need to educate ourselves before it is too late,” says Choudhary.

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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