In transit

He's driven by challenges and creativity. So, even an assigned project is turned into a work of art.

Written by Parul

September 11, 2008 12:00 AM IST

2 min read

Balwant Thakur doesn8217;t have many prerequisites for staging a play. His acts are mobile 038; flexible

He8217;s driven by challenges and creativity. So, even an assigned project is turned into a work of art. That8217;s how Sainyan Bhaye Kotwal, the final play of the National Theatre Festival took shape. The play has been staged all over the country by various directors, and theatre director Balwant Thakur took it up for it was different from the productions his group Natrang had been staging. 8220;I prefer to call it a satire rather than a comedy, one that8217;s a symbolic picture of the contemporary political happenings and a caricature of the bad governance has been depicted in the play. The theme is contemporary and relevant to any part of the world,8217;8217; Thakur8217;s production has his signature style and he8217;s made a few changes in the script and updated it as well. Balwant is happy that the audiences have received it really well. What8217;s best, the production is mobile, sans many frills, so it can be taken anywhere, 8220;and also staged in a huge theatre, street or a small space. It8217;s versatile and in my opinion, theatre has to be flexible, so it can reach out to more people, that8217;s the entire idea. That8217;s why when we travel with our plays, my requirements are negligible. We make sure we are self-sufficient in every way.8217;8217; Natrang, as a theatre group primarily practices Dogri theatre rooted in the soil of Jammu and Thakur8217;s plays are replete with culture, tradition, music, folklore of the region. Thakur never tires of exploring the culturally rich area which is in a constant state of strife, 8220;the situation is absurd here, there are many stakeholders, aspects and we are complicating matters,8217;8217; Thakur is busy writing a book, the Origin and Development of Dogri Theatre. The unknown aspects of Dogri theatre, the contributors, the rich culture and heritage, I hope to document all that and more.8217;8217;

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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