“A Good Play Is One That Stays in Memory and Invites Repeated Engagement,” — Prof. Vaman Kendre
New Delhi: During the Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026 (BRM), organised by the National School of Drama (NSD) under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, the play “Umeed – Manushya Zinda Hai”, written by Dr. Sachidanand Joshi, Member Secretary, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), was formally released, followed by a focused discussion on the work.
The discussion featured Prof. Vaman Kendre, former Director of the National School of Drama; Dr. Vinod Narayan Indulkar of the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT); and the playwright himself, Dr. Sachidanand Joshi. The speakers engaged in a thoughtful and substantive dialogue on the play’s thematic concerns, dramaturgy, theatrical expression, and the broader landscape of Hindi theatre. The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer segment with the audience. On this occasion, Shri Chitranjan Tripathi, Director of the National School of Drama, was also present and graced the event with his presence.
Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, during the book launch and discussion, said that personally it was a matter of pride for him that his book ‘Ummeed’ was being launched at Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026. After spending nearly 25 years in theatre, he experienced that, fundamentally, the process of how plays should be written in Hindi has been slow. He further stated that actors do not write plays or dramas; rather, playwrights and litterateurs write them. It was after this realisation that he decided that, once he was no longer actively engaged in theatre, he would turn his attention to the writing aspect of drama. This decision took shape when he translated ‘Natsamrat’ into Hindi.
He remarked that storytelling is a distinct realm of theatre. While ‘Ummeed’ is a story, its narrative and dynamics belong to the form of a play or drama. The work conveys the idea of an inclusive culture, where everyone lives together, and this is what the drama seeks to express. There is ‘ummeed’; hope within society. He explained that although the visuals are crafted in an imaginative manner, they are drawn from real life. There is no attempt to target anyone; it is simply an attempt to present lived realities through a theatrical lens.
Dr. Vinod Narayan Indulkar, in his address, said that the background of the play ‘Ummeed: Manushya Zinda Hai’ is rooted in political, social, and cultural contexts. He noted that the playwright has exercised due care, particularly in terms of dramatization, so that the narrative does not shift or lose its focus. He emphasised that the content–form dichotomy is significant; while this has long been discussed in painting; in drama it acquires a distinct relevance as a performing art.
He further stated that there are two conditions in drama; the efficient condition and the sufficient condition. The essential conditions include the story, scenes, and sequence, while performance becomes the pertinent and therefore essential condition. It is the balance between content and form that lends this drama, ‘Ummeed’, a classical character. According to him, ‘Ummeed’ fulfils all the prerequisites of being a classic in terms of character placement, and the structuring of the play is refined and effective, making the drama purposeful in its conclusion. He also highlighted another important factor, namely technique, which involves the use of raw material and its skilful application. Imagination and observation, combined with the actors’ command over technique, shape the performance. Creativity, he remarked, is not merely about doing, but about allowing; where novelty emerges and exists independently.
Prof. Vaman Kendre, in his address, began by praising the work undertaken by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, noting how he has transformed the cultural landscape of IGNCA and how, under his leadership, IGNCA has emerged as a major centre of culture in the country. Speaking about the book, he said that, fundamentally, it begins with the Bharatiya thought of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.” Human beings may divide themselves, and there can be differences of thought, but these should not turn into ‘mannbhed’; that is, differences of opinion should not lead to personal divisions.
He stated that the play engages with the dynamics of the present and the past, and in doing so, it stirs the audience. A good play, he observed, is one that the viewer wishes to see, understand, and return to time and again. A play that does not drift away from one’s memory is truly a good play. In this work, there is a distinct image at the end of each scene. He remarked that a play originates in the mind of the playwright, while the director unfolds it by opening up or deconstructing the text.
The programme witnessed a notable presence of theatre practitioners, writers, scholars, students, and art enthusiasts associated with the fields of theatre, literature, and culture. Organised as part of Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2026, the event emerged as a significant initiative towards providing a vibrant platform for dialogue and critical engagement with contemporary dramatic literature.
