Sidhi Dar Sidi Urf Tukke Pe Tukka and the Legacy of Director Bansi Kaul

Sidhi Dar Sidi Urf Tukke Pe Tukka

Tukku, the uneducated son of a rich landlord, spends his life flying kites and playing street games. A clever fortune-teller (Najumi) convinces him that he is destined to become a high officer in the imperial court. With a royal seal and sheer luck, Tukku rises to power despite his complete incompetence.

In the court, only the Maskhara (clown) recognizes Tukku’s foolishness. When Tukku is asked to present a poem to the Nawab, his illiteracy is exposed, though temporarily saved by the Budha Afsar. Before the truth can surface, rebels overthrow the Nawab. Ironically, impressed by Tukku’s supposed wisdom, the new ruler makes Tukku the next Nawab.

This production is a sharp, humorous satire on power, chance, corruption, and political absurdity.

Director Bansi Kaul

Born in Srinagar, Bansi Kaul (August 23, 1949 – February 6, 2021) was an influential theatre director, designer, visualizer, and the Founder Director of Rang Vidushak, established in Bhopal in 1984. He developed a unique performance idiom rooted in Indian folk traditions, akhada, natgiri, bahurupia, and indigenous physical forms.

As a space designer and visualizer, he conceived major national and international cultural spectacles, including Festivals of India in several countries, Edinburgh Mela, the 2010 Commonwealth Games Queen's Baton Relay, BRICS U-17 Football Tournament, South Asian Games, and the India–Africa Forum Summit.

He directed over 30 major theatre productions—including Andha Yug, Rang Birange Jute, Gadhon Ka Mela, Sidi Dar Sidi urf Tukke Pe Tukka, Kahan Kabir, Zindagi Aur Jonk, and Hindi adaptations of Peer Gynt and Don Quixote. His honours include the Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Kalidas Samman, and the Safdar Hashmi Award.

Rang Vidushak Group

Founded in 1984 and formally established in 1986 by Bansi Kaul, Rang Vidushak uses the Vidushak (clown) as a medium to awaken, provoke, and disturb complacency. The group has created 45+ productions, staged 450+ performances in India and abroad, and organized 60+ theatre festivals and exhibitions without government funding.