Lucknow, Nov. 27 -- Unlike conventional plays where audiences watch silently from their seats, Besharam Ka Paudha gradually transformed spectators into active participants when it was staged on Wednesday as part of the pre-festival events of the Kabir Festival at the International Buddha Research Institute auditorium. The three-day Kabir Festival is slated to begin on November 28 at UP Sangeet Natak Akademi. Staged on Constitution Day, the play drew from real-life experiences that resonate deeply with many people, tracing the artist's journey from village to city. Everyday realities of India's caste-based social structure were woven into the performance through stories, games, clothing, and personal anecdotes, bringing caste-based conflicts starkly to the fore. Directed and performed by Rajesh Nirmal, the play opened with Nirmal emerging from behind a white cloth that slowly descended, revealing him to the audience. Introducing himself, he explained that although he belongs to the Dhobi caste, he does not wash clothes; instead, he works in writing, theatre, and other art forms in the city. From there, he led the audience through a parallel journey, from city to village, gradually exposing the caste dynamics embedded in village life. Nirmal shared how he is known in his village for his expertise in a local game and soon involved the audience in the same game. htc...