Chanda Bedni: A traditional tale with a social message
2
Lucknow: The UP Sangeet Natak Akademi witnessed a captivating performance of the play Chanda Bedni on Wednesday, bringing to life a poignant folk tale that highlighted pressing social issues through traditional art forms.
The production, organised by Bhartendu Natya Academy, marked the culmination of a 30-day summer workshop.
Written by Vijay Bahadur Srivastava and directed by Neeraj Khushwaha, the play masterfully blended traditional musical instruments—such as the dhol, nakkara, harmonium, and clarinet—with dialogues in the Awadhi language. The story focused on the Bedni tribe of Madhya Pradesh, where women traditionally earn their livelihood through singing and dancing, while the men typically do not work.
"Through this production, we aimed to not only showcase the rich cultural heritage of Nautanki but also promote the Awadhi language while addressing pertinent social issues," said director Khushwaha.
The narrative followed the tragic love story of Chanda and Lakhan, whose relationship becomes a casualty of political conspiracies and entrenched casteism. The plot underscored how their pure love was crushed by social hierarchies, with Chanda's identity as a member of the Bedni community emerging as a major barrier.
The performance was attended by notable personalities, including Akademi president Rati Shankar Tripathi and director Bipin Kumar.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
RP Patnaik releases multilingual Hanuman Chalisa
In a spiritually uplifting and musically rich moment, acclaimed music director and singer RP Patnaik unveiled his powerful rendition of the Hanuman Chalisa under the divine guidance of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. The launch took place at the Hanuman Temple in McKinney, Texas—the largest Hanuman temple in the United States, located near Dallas. Originally penned in the 16th century by Sri Goswami Tulsidas in the Awadhi language, the Hanuman Chalisa continues to be a devotional mainstay for millions. RP Patnaik's version brings a unique and modern spiritual experience, blending devotional fervour with cinematic visuals and multilingual accessibility. The Chalisa is presented with sing-along visuals in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and English, making it accessible to a global audience and enabling devotees from diverse backgrounds to connect through prayer. Reflecting on the project, Patnaik shared, 'Singing and composing the Hanuman Chalisa was a divine journey. The energy of Hanuman is immeasurable, and listening to this rendition will surely bring a powerful spiritual experience.' Raghuram Bolisetti, the executive producer, stressed the team's commitment to making the Chalisa immersive and relevant for modern audiences. Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, after personally listening to the composition, noted that this version would deeply resonate with today's youth and guide them on a path toward spirituality. Sri Prakash Rao, founder of the Hanuman Temple, was also present for the auspicious release.
News18
5 days ago
- News18
Struggling With Sticky Dough? Chef Ranveer Brar Has A Simple Fix
Last Updated: Celebrity chef Ranveer Brar took to his social media to share some handy tips that can help you get the perfect dough. If you've ever struggled to make soft rotis or fluffy pooris, you're not alone. Dough that's too sticky, too dry, or just uncooperative can derail even the best culinary intentions. Even seasoned cooks often find themselves guessing. Fortunately, celebrity chef Ranveer Brar has revealed a simple, foolproof technique that eliminates the guesswork and helps you get perfect results every time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranveer Brar (@ Chef Ranveer Brar took to Instagram to post a detailed video on how to prepare dough that's consistently soft and elastic. Drawing on years of culinary expertise, his approach is as practical as it is insightful, offering a clear path to success for both beginners and seasoned home chefs. At the heart of Brar's technique is one crucial step, getting the moin right. Moin refers to the fat (like ghee or oil) mixed into the flour before adding water, and it plays a key role in determining the dough's final texture. So, how do you know when it's properly incorporated? Brar offers a simple trick: 'Take some dough, form a tight fist and release it. If the dough holds its shape and forms a firm fist, that means it's ready." This quick check, referred to as the 'fist test," is a clever way to confirm that the fat has coated the flour evenly, setting the stage for a pliable, tender dough. Another common misstep is over-kneading. Many people believe that the harder they knead, the better the outcome. Ranveer gently debunks that myth. 'Now, when you knead the dough, you don't need to apply 100 per cent pressure, just about 50 per cent. Once the flour absorbs the moisture, it'll come together on its own. The more you stretch it, the more the gluten develops. Once the dough is ready, transfer it to a clean, beautiful bowl," he advises. His words highlight the importance of a gentle approach. Allowing the flour to slowly absorb water while using only moderate effort prevents the gluten from tightening excessively. This results in dough that's soft, not rubbery and easier to roll and cook. Alongside his kneading technique, Brar offers some expert suggestions to enhance the dough's texture and overall quality. These adjustments can make a noticeable difference in your daily cooking. 'The amount of moin should be just right, not too much, not too little. Don't overwork or over-knead the dough. You can also sprinkle a little semolina (rava) powder into the flour. And even if nothing else, let the dough rest for at least half an hour or at the very least, 20 minutes, before you start working with it." About Chef Ranveer Brar Born in Lucknow, a city known for its regal Awadhi cuisine, Ranveer Brar started his culinary career with humble inspiration from street-side kebab stalls. That passion led him to become the youngest executive chef at a five-star hotel, launching a remarkable career. Over time, he has expanded his influence through food shows, cookbooks and his role as a judge on MasterChef India. Brar is widely respected for blending traditional Indian flavours with modern techniques and for making authentic recipes accessible to a global audience. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Malini Awasthi casts a spell with soul-stirring folk songs
Lucknow: Governor Anandiben Patel attended a cultural evening featuring renowned folk singer Padma Shri Malini Awasthi at UP Sangeet Natak Akademi on Sunday. The programme, titled 'Sawan', saw Awasthi giving a soul-stirring performance of traditional folk songs centered around the monsoon season. The performance received widespread appreciation from the audience. Patel expressed her admiration for women artists, noting their confident stage presence. She also referenced the play 'Humare Ram' staged at Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University the previous day, emphasizing the importance of character-building lessons from the Ramayana in contemporary society. "The youth should draw inspiration from such characters," the governor stated. The event was attended by writer Padma Shri Dr Vidya Vindu Singh, principal secretary, culture, Mukesh Kumar Meshram and Bhatkhande Sanskriti University V-C Mandvi Singh, among other cultural dignitaries.
