Sakal Jaani He Naath: A Folk Musical Comical Satire Exploring Modern Human Nature

About Sakal Jaani He Naath

Sakal Jaani He Naath is a folk musical comical satire adapted from Vasant Deo’s Sudama Ke Chawal. The play revisits the mythological fable of Lord Krishna and his childhood friend Sudama while exploring contemporary human situations, double standards, and convoluted minds. It runs parallel with Narottam Das’s Sudamacharit, incorporating verses sung in folk tunes of Doha, Alha and Behr-e-Tavil.

Director's Vision

Director Srinivas has over 17 years of experience as an actor, writer, and director. Founder of the Kahe Vidushak Foundation, Srinivas has directed plays such as Panchhi, Do Kaudi ka Khel, and Namak. In the director's note, Srinivas explains that the play's meaning evolved to showcase a man's double standards, masculinity, and the supremacy thrust upon women. The production integrates elements of Haryana’s folk theatre style Swang or Saang and was developed through a series of residential workshops with actors.

Writer Vasant Deo

Vasant Deo (1929–1996) was an Indian writer, lyricist, screenplay writer, and Hindi teacher at Parle College, Mumbai. He collaborated with directors like Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani, and Mahesh Bhatt in 1980s Hindi parallel cinema. He is well known for writing songs for the 1984 film Utsav, directed by Girish Karnad. He also wrote plays and poetry in Marathi and translated works from Marathi to Hindi.

Kahe Vidushak Foundation

The Kahe Vidushak Foundation is a Bangalore-based theatre group co-founded by Srinivas and Ankita Jain. The group explores varied genres with folk theatre elements, using the role of the Vidushak to highlight societal follies. Sakal Jaani He Naath marks the group's 10th production as they enter their 5th working year.