Every child deserves a space to imagine, question, participate, and express themselves.

A Musical Enactment (Sangitik Abhivachan)

6 September 2026 | 6:00 PM
Venue: Shrimant Rajlaxmi Raje Vijaysingh Raje Patwardhan Shatabdi Sabhagruha, Shahapur, Belagavi

Performed by Parna Pethe & Siddhesh Purkar

Totto-Chan is a Marathi stage adaptation of Tetsuko Kuroyanagi’s memoir Totto-Chan: The Little Girl at the Window. The production brings together acting, reading, music, songs, and voice.

In an interview for The Free Press Journal, published on 8 March 2025, Parna Pethe, who plays Totto-Chan, speaks about her experience of performing the play. Recalling Totto-Chan’s friendship with Yasuki-chan, she says, “It reminds us of our many privileges and how we don’t share them.” She also speaks about performing for children in theatres, schools, NGOs, and villages, and about the questions children ask after watching the performance. She says, “It is important that kids’ questions are answered.” Pethe also shares that children often draw about Totto-Chan after the performance and ask questions about the characters, the war, gender, and their bodies. 

The production has received recognition at the Zee Natya Gaurav 2025, including Best Experimental Play, Best Direction, Best Acting, and Best Background Music.

75 Minutes | Marathi
Public Performance | Ticketed

Grade 4 Experience

Featured Story Theatre

Ru Ru Raaga

Inspired by Natasha Sharma's acclaimed picture book Rooster Raga (Ru Ru Raag). What happens when a little rooster cannot crow like everyone else?

Ru Ru Raaga is an engaging Story Theatre performance that follows a young rooster on his joyful search for his own unique voice. Through music, rhythm, movement, and playful audience participation, children become part of the story, helping the rooster discover the confidence to sing in his own way.

Filled with laughter, imagination, and interactive moments, the performance celebrates self-expression, confidence, and the joy of embracing what makes each one of us unique. The experience continues beyond the performance with engaging post-show activities that encourage children to play, reflect, and create together.

Performance Details

• Duration: 40 Minutes

• Suitable for: Grade 4 Students

• Language: Hindi & English

• Presented by: Chali Kahani, Mumbai

Technical Requirements

• 4 wireless lapel microphones.

• A spacious indoor hall with seating for 200–300 students and a clear performance area.

• Adequate halogen/flood lights focused on the performance area to ensure clear visibility of the performers.

• A well-lit and well-ventilated performance space.

• All costumes, props, and production materials required for the performance will be provided by the organisers.

Meet the Artists

Harsha Sharma

Founder and Artistic Director of Chali Kahani, Harsha Sharma is a theatre practitioner, storyteller, writer, and applied theatre facilitator. She creates immersive Story Theatre experiences that encourage imagination, participation, empathy, and joyful learning for children.

Rishikesh Pradhan

Co-founder of Chali Kahani, Rishikesh Pradhan is a theatre and film actor, storyteller, and applied theatre facilitator. Drawing on over a decade of performance experience, he brings stories to life through expressive movement, voice, humour, and play, creating memorable theatrical experiences for young audiences.

Theatre Performance

Grade 5 Experience

At Jashn-e-Bachpan, Grade 5 students experience the excitement and wonder of professional theatre through a specially curated stage production. Combining expressive performances, music, movement, humour, and visual storytelling, the experience invites children to laugh, imagine, and discover the power of stories shared in a live performance space.

This year's Theatre Performance is presented by Kalabhi Theatre, a Mangaluru-based theatre collective committed to making live theatre accessible, engaging, and meaningful for children and communities. Through performances, workshops, and educational initiatives, Kalabhi celebrates storytelling, creativity, and India's rich artistic traditions while inspiring young audiences through the magic of theatre.

Featured Production

Grannies' Folk Tales

A Kalabhi Theatre Express Production

Every grandmother has a story. Some make us laugh, some make us wonder, and some stay with us forever.

Grannies' Folk Tales brings two folk tales to the stage—Holige Thuppa and Pothraju. Through expressive acting, music, movement, humour, colourful characters, and storytelling, the production brings these traditional tales to life for young audiences.

Performance Details

• Duration: 60 Minutes

• Suitable for: Grade 5 Students

• Language: Kanglish (Kannada & English)

• Presented by: Kalabhi Theatre, Mangaluru

• Directed by: Ramesh K. Benakal

Technical Requirements

• 4 wireless lapel microphones.

• A spacious indoor hall with seating for 200–300 students and a clear performance area.

• Adequate halogen/flood lights focused on the performance area to ensure clear visibility of the performers.

• A well-lit and well-ventilated performance space.

• All costumes, props, and production materials required for the performance will be provided by the organisers.

Meet the Artists

Ramesh K. Benakal

A theatre practitioner and mentor associated with Rangayana Mysuru, Ramesh K. Benakal has devoted his career to theatre education and children's theatre, blending traditional performance practices with contemporary stagecraft.

Bhuvan Manipal

A Ninasam-trained theatre practitioner, Bhuvan Manipal is an actor and facilitator known for his expressive physical theatre and ensemble performances that create engaging and imaginative experiences for young audiences.

Shreesha Thekkate

Associated with Ragaadhyayana Kendra, Kundapura, Shreesha Thekkate brings together movement, music, and storytelling, drawing inspiration from India's rich folk and performance traditions.

Ujwal U.V.

Founder and Secretary of Kalabhi Theatre, Ujwal U.V. is a theatre practitioner committed to making quality theatre accessible to children and communities through performances, workshops, and cultural initiatives that celebrate creativity and collaboration.

K. Dhanush Kamath

K. Dhanush Kamath is a theatre artist, dancer, and performer associated with Kalabhi, Nandagokula, and Dream Boys Dance Gallery. He has experience in diverse plays, dance dramas, and stage performances.

Likhith

Likhith is a theatre enthusiast currently pursuing acting training under the guidance of Ujwal U.V. and Bhuvan Manipal. He is also trained in scriptwriting, bringing together his interests in acting and writing.

Jashn-e-Bachpan is a celebration that can only grow when a community comes together. We invite schools, parents, artists, organisations, individuals, and well-wishers to be part of this journey and help us bring meaningful theatre and storytelling experiences to more children. The festival is open to collaborations, donations, and sponsorships, and every contribution helps us create a richer cultural experience for young audiences in and around Belagavi.

We would be happy to collaborate with you. For further details, participation, sponsorships, or donations, please get in touch with us at 88670 97545.

Come, be part of Jashn-e-Bachpan.
Because a festival for children belongs to the whole community.