Diplomat Correspondent
Jammu, DD, The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages organized the poignant Dogri play “Chanchlo”, directed by Deepak Kumar. It was an adaptation of Nadira Zaheer Babbar’s iconic play Sakubai. The performance was prepared under the banner of Rangyug – a leading Theatre group of Jammu . The performance was held in presence of Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL and other prominent theatre directors, actors and eminent performing art personalities who appreciated the performance.
Juhie Mohan’s strong performing skills has made the theatre performance most mesmerizing for the audience. , The play presents blending humour, irony, and sharp observation, the play unfolds as a solo narrative delivered with remarkable intensity.
In her performance, Juhie Mohan the main actress of the play has portrayed Chanchlo with heartfelt conviction, holding the audience in rapt attention throughout. The presentation stood out for its evocative simplicity and deep emotional connect.
The play “Chanchlo”, translated and adapted into Dogri by Juhie Mohan, brings to life the struggle and resilience of working-class women, especially those who migrate from rural regions to urban households in search of livelihood. Set in the socio-cultural backdrop of rural Jammu, the play narrates the story of Chanchlo – a domestic worker whose life is emblematic of countless women who leave their families behind to sustain other homes.
Chanchlo’s story resonates deeply, as she exposes the veiled hypocrisies of a society that claims to treat its domestic help like family while continuing to discriminate and devalue their contributions. Beyond its compelling storytelling, the play becomes a larger social critique—raising vital questions about dignity, class divide, and the invisible labor behind the functioning of middle-class homes.
The performance featured a committed and talented team, with costumes by Niharika, make-up by Poonam, sets designed by Dr. Vijay Puri, props by Aakrit Sharma, and music and sound by Shivan Gupta. The lighting was handled by Ashish Sharma, while management was efficiently carried out by Rajkumar Behrupia, Soham Kashyap, and Sumeet.DD