# Swatantra Theatre

Swatantra Theatre is an Indian theatre organization and troupe based in Pune, India. The troupe produces and performs plays in Hindi language. In addition to theatre productions, the troupe also carries theatre education, training and theatre festival. It has staged productions across India. Swatantra's alumni include Shivankit Singh Parihar,Karan Kishore Parab, Tushar Kawle, Prakhar Singh. Mahadev Singh Lakhawat,Varun Rajput, Prashant Singh, Aarsvi Joshi and Aditya Singhal
Swatantra Theatre was founded by Abhijeet Choudhary, Dhanashree Heblikar and Yuwaraj Shah in 2007. Choudhary serves as a director of the plays, while Heblikar serves as creative director.

## History

In 2005, Abhijeet Choudhary, who was working as an actor at Asmita Theatre, and Dhanashree Heblikar, a stage actor, met in Pune and decided to start a theatre group that would produce Hindi-language plays solely, because at that time, the theatre of Pune was dominated by Marathi theatre. The theatre trope was founded on 15 August 2007. As of 2018, the troupe has 55 permanent members.

## Activities

Choudhary directs the plays produced by the troupe, and Heblikar serves as creative director and manages aesthetics including music, light, set, costumes. Swatantra organizes Swatantra Rang Hindi Theater Festival, a two or three-days theatre festival, annually. It also organizes Children's Theatre Festival twice in a year, and a virtual theatre festival, Rang-e-Dastaan. It organized workshops twice in a month to give education about on voice modulation, body control and acting.
The theatre presents the Yuwaraj of Theatre (YOTA) of Award annually on its anniversary day.

## Plays

Swatantra Theatre produces plays which often deal with the theme of social consciousness. It has also worked in experimental theatre. The troupe often performs plays on mental health awareness. The troupe has performed its plays at various places including Film and Television Institute of India,BHARANGAM-2020 AND BHARANGAM 2024National School of Drama, Deccan Literature Festival,Bal Gandharva Ranga Mandir and National Defence Academy (NDA).
| Year | Play |
| 2008 | Court Martial |
| 2008 | Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar |
| 2008 | Zindagi Ke Rang |
| 2008 | Andha Yug |
| 2009 | Gagan Damama Bajyo |
| 2009 | Dhool Mein Lipta Sach |
| 2010 | Dayashankar Ki Diary |
| 2010 | Hamlet In My School |
| 2011 | Ajab Sher Ki Gajab Kahani |
| 2011 | Ji Jaisi Aapki Marzi |
| 2013 | Cheaper By The Dozen |
| 2013 | Mashaal Jalao Diye Se |
| 2014 | Dakghar |
| 2014 | Komal Gandhar |
| 2014 | Gharonda |
| 2015 | Chulbule Bulbule |
| 2016 | Jis Lahore Nahi Dekhya wo Jamya Nai |
| 2016 | Taj Mahal ka Tender |
| 2017 | An Evening with Chekhov |
| 2017 | Jhalkiyaan |
| 2018 | Panchi Aise Aate Hain |
| 2019 | Khamosh Adalat Jaari Hain |
| 2019 | Jaag Utha Hai Raigad |
| 2020 | Common Sadness |
| 2020 | Vijeta Kaun |
| 2020 | The Bicycle Girl |
| 2020 | Sheher-e-Naqab |
| 2020 | Bakri |
| 2020 | Ujbak Raja Teen Dacoit |
| 2021 | Sihar Uthi Thi Maut Yahan |
| 2022 | Malgudi Days |
| 2023 | Hamidabai Ki Kothi |

## Awards and Felicitations

* Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2018
* Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2019
* Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2020
* Bharat Rang Mahaotsav of National School Of Drama-2020
* Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2021
* Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2022
* Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Marathi 2022
* Vizag Junior Theatre Fest 2023 In Vishakhapatnam
* Bharat Rang Mahotsav of National School Of Drama-2024 in Jodhpur
* Saheed Bhavan Bhopal 2024
* Maharashtra Rajya Natya Spardha Hindi 2024