Patna: Ashirwad Rangmandal, a leading theatre troupe from Begusarai, will represent Bihar at a national theatre festival in Kolkata on March 28 with its acclaimed play ‘Pashmina’, a poignant exploration of shared grief arising from the Kashmir conflict. Written by Delhi-based playwright Mrinal Mathur, the play uses a pashmina shawl as a symbol to underline how loss transcends religion and community.The story follows an elderly couple who travel to Kashmir to fulfil their late son’s wish, only to realise that the pain of loss cuts across religious and social boundaries.Amit Roushan, secretary of Ashirwad Rangmandal, who has been associated with the group since 2001, said the play’s message holds universal relevance in today’s conflict-ridden world. “Whether the pain is felt by a Hindu or a Muslim, if death comes, the suffering is equal on both sides,” said Roushan, adding his troupe perform over 40 shows annually across India, including Delhi, Bengal, Rajasthan and Telangana.Reflecting on the evolution of theatre in Bihar, Roushan said the state has two major theatre hubs — Patna and Begusarai. Despite their cultural vibrancy, he noted that the future of theatre practitioners continues to be marred by systemic neglect.“If we look at theatre from the govt’s perspective, there is nothing substantial,” he said, adding that serious drama often finds itself at odds with authority. “The plays we stage frequently expose social and governance issues, which is why the govt keeps a close watch on us,” he added.Roushan pointed out that while the new education policy proposes integrating drama into the curriculum from Classes 8 and 9, the absence of a functional theatre institute in Bihar remains a major challenge. Though a previous cabinet had reportedly approved a film and theatre institute, the project is yet to take shape.“The state government has promoted music and physical education teachers in high schools, but theatre teachers should also be given similar opportunities,” he said, stressing that theatre plays a crucial role in personality development, speech, sound recording and light management.While many young artists view theatre as a stepping stone to the film industry, Roushan observed that parents in Bihar still prioritise conventional careers.Roushan, who holds a PhD from Hyderabad Central University, also runs a vocational training institute in Begusarai.
