- RJ Juhie Mohan delivers a landmark performance, echoing unheard voices of working-class women
Jammu, July 12— For the first time in the history of Dogri theatre, the stage at Jammu came alive with a path-breaking 90-minute solo performance that left the audience spellbound. Chanchlo, presented by Rangyug – Theatre for Self-Realization and Social Change, marks a new and bold experiment in Dogri theatre — one that showcases the strength of solo storytelling, regional language and powerful acting.
The production was designed and directed by veteran theatre personality Deepak Kumar, and was sponsored by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
Originally written in Hindi by acclaimed playwright and director Nadira Zaheer Babbar as Sakubai, the play has been beautifully adapted into Dogri by RJ Juhie Mohan, who also performed the entire play single-handedly on stage. The result was nothing short of extraordinary.
The performance was witnessed by an impressive gathering of dignitaries and cultural stalwarts, including Padma Shri Dr. Lalit Mangotra; Suresh Kumar Sharma, Retd. Sessions Judge & Member, SMVDSB; Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL; Nagendra Singh Jamwal, Special Secretary, J&K Government; Dr. Javaid Rahi, Secretary of Kala Kendra. The performance also drew eminent personalities from the fields of theatre, literature, media, academia, and a large number of art lovers and theatre enthusiasts from across the region.
Set in urban Jammu, Chanchlo tells the story of a domestic worker who migrates from a remote village in search of work. Her life unfolds on stage with humor, pain, reflection and irony — touching on themes of migration, exploitation, resilience, and the unspoken dignity of labor. While the story is personal, it resonates with the lived experiences of thousands of working-class women from the unorganized sector across the region.
What made the evening historic was not just the content, but the format — a solo actress carrying the weight of the entire narrative for 90 uninterrupted minutes, holding the audience’s attention so tightly that no one left their seat. The packed hall bore witness to the power of voice, gesture and raw emotion, proving once again that theatre, when honest and fearless can transform hearts and minds.
Speaking about the performance, Deepak Kumar said, “This production is a milestone for Dogri theatre. Theatre is the actor’s medium, and Chanchlo proves how one performer, with deep sincerity and craft, can make the audience travel through an entire world. Juhie’s portrayal is courageous, heartfelt and historic.” With this bold step, Rangyug reaffirms its mission to use theatre as a mirror to society and as a voice for the unheard.