The story of a boycotted lover, a patromax and illiteracy was beautifully told through the play ‘Panchlait’. The play was performed Shaheed Bhavan auditorium marking the conclusion of the four day Karunesh Theatre Festival 2017.

The play Panchaight also Panch light is based on a short story by Phanishwar Nath ‘Renu’ with the same name. The play was directed by Kamlesh Dubey and was wondrously presented by Pink Bird theatre troupe, Bhopal. The play narrated the story of a small village where the panch of Mahto Toli purchase the patromax on the occasion of Ramnwami.

The play began with a crowded fair where the panch visited to purchase the patromax.

A light and sound technique was beautifully used in the opening scene of the play. The use of light design was done intelligently where the symbolization of entire fair was done through sound and light.

As the panch brings the patromax in the village, a wave of excitement was seen among the villagers. The characters here beautifully portrayed the excitement through facial expressions which made the audience enjoy the show. Everyone becomes happy to see patromax and named it ‘Panchlight’.

Now the panchlight is here, the first ever patromax of the village. But, suddenly the entire scene is changed when it is discovered that no one knows how to use it. Now the audience are taken to a journey where they were narrated a love story.

A young boy Godhan, intelligent and handsome falls in love with the village girl Munri. But, the villagers and the panch did not accept their love and Godhan is boycotted from the village.

Coming back to the present, the problem of operating the panchlight is not yet solved. Villagers think a lot on who will help them out. The solution lies with Godhan.

Only Gulari Kaki knows that Godhan knows to operate it. In the meeting it is decided that Godhan will be taken back in the village so that he can help them out with the panchlight.

Weaved with various comic situations the play was wonderfully staged leaving the audience enthralled. According to the director, the play focused on illiteracy and lack of education prevailing in society.