Swang- Jas Ki Tas

What do you do when your overlord is dumb as a rock and is mad at you? Do you nod, agree and do whatever is asked of you, remembering all the ‘good’ he has done or do you give him a piece of your mind? Hold on. There might be a third option. You could go to his mother, complain about him, sit-back and enjoy the drama that unfolds.

Jas Ki Tas is as versatile as it is simple, it gives you a layered idea of human emotions developing in character arcs of change and acceptance and of stagnation and stubbornness. Through the usage of gripping audio and visuals, elaborate costumes, well-written verses and brilliant acting performances, it tells you the story of Thakur, the lord of several villages, taking umbrage at a few villagers for not fulfilling his inane requests.

While being a drama that is entertaining and spectacular, Jas Ki Tas also holds on tightly to the essence and intricacies of the society it represents and hails from. It enlightens and makes the audience face the caste and class structures that exist in India, head-on, with powerful direct and indirect political commentary every now and then.

Jas Ki Tas captivates you in its humour and drama with beautifully performed Swang, an emotive folk dance-theatre form based in Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and areas of Madhya Pradesh. It playfully brings Bundeli, Hindi and English in a seamless swirl, one which answers to the child inside me who grew up amidst the same swirl. With all its humour, drama, satire and wit, it will make the audience giggle, emote, dance, sing-along, making it hard for them to sit still and not break into song.

Jas Ki Tas, directed by Akshay Singh Thakur and produced by Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) based Rangabharan Cultural and Social Welfare Society, will be performed on Mar 15, 2025 in Kamani Auditorium at the 20^th Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (https://metawards.com/). Tickets are live on bookmyshow.com and on the META website. Book before they sell out!