 Early Times Report
Bhatinda, Oct 4: Balwant Thakur’s internationally acclaimed children’s play ‘Aap Hamaare Hain Kaun’ outshined on the ninth day of the 15th National Theatre Festival, 2026, organised by Natyam Punjab at Balwant Gargi Auditorium, Bhatinda, Punjab. The festival, now in its 15th year, has established itself as an important platform for presenting outstanding theatre productions from different parts of India.
Created in 1990 by renowned theatre director Balwant Thakur, Aap Hamaare Hain Kaun has earned the distinction of being one of the longest-running Indian theatre productions. Over the decades, the play has travelled extensively and has been presented at more than 50 national and international theatre festivals, winning appreciation for its innovative theatrical language, simplicity and universal appeal.
At the heart of the play is the world of children, their imagination, innocence, curiosity and uninhibited way of looking at life. Rather than treating children merely as an audience, Thakur’s theatre places them at the centre of the theatrical experience. Aap Hamaare Hain Kaun explores the relationship between children and the world around them through humour, movement, music, fantasy and engaging situations. Its energetic performance style and interactive elements enable young audiences to participate emotionally and imaginatively in the unfolding story.
Balwant Thakur is widely recognised for his pioneering contribution to children’s theatre in India, particularly through his sustained efforts to create meaningful theatre for young audiences. Through his work with Natrang, Jammu, he has developed a distinctive body of children’s theatre that combines entertainment with sensitivity, imagination and social awareness. His productions have demonstrated that theatre for children need not be simplistic or merely instructional; it can be artistically ambitious, visually engaging and intellectually stimulating.
Over the years, Thakur’s children’s theatre productions have travelled extensively across India and abroad, introducing young audiences to the magic of live performance while also encouraging creativity, confidence and collective expression. His pioneering work has helped place children’s theatre within the mainstream of Indian theatre discourse.
The presentation of Aap Hamaare Hain Kaun at the 15th National Theatre Festival once again reaffirmed the enduring relevance and popularity of Balwant Thakur’s theatre. The enthusiastic response from the audience in Bhatinda reflected the play’s remarkable ability to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries and continue connecting generations through the universal language of theatre.
The young artists who captivated audiences with their confident and professional performances included Samaeira Raina, Dwijesh Dutta, Aadhwika Gupta, Mahira Gupta, Anmol Sharma, Advik Sharma, Ruhaan Chandan, Kavish Sharma, Rishaan Marhatta, Priyal Ashok Gupta, Supria Gorka, Aarohi Singh, Aaradhaya Thakur, Sachetas Anand, Araiya Shan, Gautam Bhagat and Mehak Chib. |
