Common Concerns

The fact that he may not reach out to scores doesn't deter him from playing his part, "responsibly" and "sensitively." After all, that's what a real artist must do, smiles Alakhnandan, theatre director, poet, playwright and co-founder of Bharat Bhavan's Rangmandal.

The fact that he may not reach out to scores doesn8217;t deter him from playing his part, 8220;responsibly8221; and 8220;sensitively.8221; After all, that8217;s what a real artist must do, smiles Alakhnandan, theatre director, poet, playwright and co-founder of Bharat Bhavan8217;s Rangmandal. The director is here for the TFT Winter National Theatre Festival with Charpai, a play that8217;s been a hit with audiences all over the country. 8220;The play reflects the lower middle-class and its problems 8211; financial stress, emotional upheavals, fragmentation of the social fabric. Unlike what is projected 8212; great purchasing power, economic progress, a sense of joy8230;it8217;s only for a select few. There8217;s a class which really hasn8217;t moved forward, it8217;s still grappling to get the basics. If there are loans available, where are the means to repay,8221; Alakhnandan, who formed the theatre group Nata Bundele in Bhopal in 8217;87 says there are enough feel-good comedies happening on stage and the need is to reflect on real issues through theatre. Even in cinema, he rues, there8217;s this artificial happiness created all around, with most characters looking and behaving like NRIs, not connected to the roots or reality. 8220;There can8217;t be only heroes, common people have to be reached out to and the impact then multiplies,8221; believes Alakhnandan.

Charpai revolves around a middle-class family groaning under financial stress. There is no dialogue among three generations despite living under the same roof. Fragmentation of the social fabric, under cramped closeness born of necessity and poverty hits hard and demolishes the myth of an ideal, happy joint family. The play explores the complexities of a lower middle-class family comprising a retired man, his wife, their son and daughter-in-law and two adolescent grandchildren. All grumble and whine, betraying the sense of failure from their inability to provide themselves with a decent living. The realistic space denotes the suffocation and hurt caused by relationships and their incapacity to escape.

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