– Sajida A. Zubair
30 January 2024
In the heart of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, lies an extraordinary beacon of hope and transformation: the Budhan Theatre. This pioneering theatre group, rooted in the Chhara Nagar community, transcends traditional performing arts. It serves as a powerful platform for advocacy, social justice, and the upliftment of the marginalized, particularly the Chhara community, historically stigmatized as a “criminal tribe” by colonial law.
Budhan Theatre was born out of collaboration between Prof. Ganesh Devy, a thinker, cultural activist and institution builder best known for the ‘People’s Linguistic Survey of India’, Late Mahasweta Devi, a noted Bangla writer and Magsaysay awardee, and the insightful Chhara playwright and director, Dakxin Bajrange. Their shared vision was clear: to use theatre as a tool to dismantle long-standing prejudices against denotified tribes. The theatre’s name honors Budhan Sabar, a tribal victim of police brutality, symbolizing a relentless struggle against systemic injustice.
Budhan Theatre’s performances are far more than mere entertainment. They are poignant narratives woven from the threads of real-life experiences and challenges faced by denotified communities. Tackling issues from unlawful detentions to social exclusion, their plays, like Budhan Pinya Hari Kale ki Maut, Encounter, Bhoma, Ek aur Balcony, Accidental death of an anarchist, Paata, Budhan Bolta hai, resonate with raw emotion and hard-hitting truths. Their theatrical approach is unique, creating a space where the line between the actor and the audience blurs, encouraging engagement and reflection. The group also extends its impact through workshops, nurturing a new generation of artists and advocates within the community.
The soul of Budhan Theatre lies in its team – a fusion of artistic flair and unwavering commitment, led by Dakxin Bajrange. The ensemble, primarily hailing from the Chhara community, brings authenticity and fervour to their performances that are unparalleled. These artists, many having faced the brunt of societal prejudices, channel their lived experiences into stirring artistic expressions. Their dedication extends beyond performances. Many members are pillars in community development, education, and activism, making Budhan Theatre a symbol of holistic social transformation.
Budhan Theatre has not only redefined the cultural landscape of the Chhara community but also garnered national and international attention. Their work has sparked conversations and awareness about the issues facing denotified tribes, challenging and changing perceptions on a broader scale.
Under their banner, Budhan Theatre has successfully completed three seasons of creating films for social causes and change. Season one began in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, largely in lockdown conditions, and focused on the experiences of the Chhara DNT community. This season included performances, storytelling, original songs, and public health information related to COVID-19. Season 2 was filmed a year after the Covid-19 outbreak began, and it includes an episode on the plight of migrant labourers as well as voices from DNT groups around the nation, such as the Behrupiya, Dabghar, Rajbhoi, Madari, Raj-Nat, Bawri, Pardhi, and Dafer communities. Season 3 showcases the first films created by young trainees who participated in the Indigenous Creative Leadership Program. The films incorporate commentary on the present political climate, the livelihoods of marginalized areas, and the ambitions and desires of the youth themselves.
During the fourth season, the Budhan team will work with indigenous artists and filmmakers from India’s De-Notified Tribal communities who have been marginalized in knowledge production and citizenship, settlers from the Pre-42 community who were sent to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during colonialism, a group of locals from the picturesque Himachal and from the dry desert lands of Rajasthan, where everyday life is challenging.
According to the founding member and Project Director, Dakxin Chhara, “This initiative intends to expand a filmmaking style that was first intended to chronicle indigenous perspectives during the global pandemic to varied borderland regions experiencing ecological disturbances.”
He further adds, “These regions are dealing with increasing sea levels, changed rainfall patterns, greater heat, desertification, challenges to traditional ways of life, population influx under limited resources, unsustainable development projects and so on and the locals can be given the training and exposure to raise their issues through visual media. Budhan Theatre desires to share the fourth season’s projects as model for people around the country, who wish to raise socio-economic and socio-political issues by learning these art forms.”
According to Mr. Chhara, the first phase of the fourth season is about non-fictional genre and these documentaries will travel across the country as part of various film festivals in 2025. The second phase which is scheduled to commence from May 2024 would be fiction.
Budhan Theatre’s narrative is one of relentless courage and hope. In a world where inequality and injustice are rampant, their work remains crucial. Through the medium of theatre, they don’t just entertain – they educate, empower, and inspire. Budhan Theatre stands as a cultural revolutionary movement and a poignant reminder of the arts as a formidable force for social change, continuing to shine a light on paths less travelled but rich with the promise of a more equitable world.
