Maharashtra Strives For A National Movement On Constitutional Literacy Through Dramatic Arts

Mumbai : Ahead of the Republic Day, Artistic Humans and Culturally by ShubhLab have announced the public launch of “Rashtragranth”, a compelling Marathi theatre production aimed at promoting constitutional awareness and civic dialogue. The first-ever large-scale play on the Constitution of India was unveiled last year on January 26 in the presence of Shri. Bhimrao Yashwant Ambedkar, grandson of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar; and since then, it has been performed across 9 districts as free pilot shows, to gather citizen feedback and inputs, with the support of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra. Following a great reception, the play is now set for its official public launch across Maharashtra starting February 2026. 

Produced and created by Darshan Mahajan of Artistic Humans, Rashtragranth echoes the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi, who calls the Constitution “our guiding light” and highlights the urgent need for constitutional awareness. Rashtragranth transforms constitutional values from written text into a vibrant cultural experience, inviting people of all ages, especially the youth, to engage with the principles that unite India and empower its citizens. The 120-minute play is a gripping two-act that takes you on a powerful journey through India’s historical and modern relationship with its Constitution. 

Rashtragranth has earned formal recognition from the Office of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra for its national relevance, social impact, and institutional credibility. Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, commended the use of theatre as a compelling medium to connect citizens with constitutional values, stating “The efforts undertaken by Artistic Humans to bring vital themes such as constitutional rights and duties, social justice, gender equality, democracy, caste, and citizens’ rights to the stage in a compelling and impactful manner are truly commendable. This initiative deserves heartfelt appreciation, and sincere congratulations are extended to the organisation and all the artists involved for their meaningful contribution.” 

Written by acclaimed playwrights Prasad Thorve and Abhiram Bhadkamkar, and directed by Kumar Sohoni, a National School of Drama (NSD) alumnus and Sangeet Natak Akademi Award winner, Rashtragranth is conceptualized and produced by award-winning theatre maker Darshan Mahajan. The play will feature 51 characters, with original music by Milind Joshi, costumes by Chaitrali Dongre, and a stage design recreating 15 historic locations by Sandesh Bendre. 

Endorsing the initiative, the Director of Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra noted, “As India commemorates 75 years of the Constitution, this theatrical production is emerging as a significant and impactful medium for advancing democratic values, reinforcing citizens’ rights and duties, and deepening constitutional understanding across diverse sections of society.”

Rashtragranth reimagines theatre as civic infrastructure, driving social impact, civic awareness, and democratic engagement. Each performance sustains livelihoods directly and indirectly for over 50 artists and technicians, with a potential to take this to 500+ livelihoods by scaling the show from 1 to 10 languages, significantly contributing to India’s growing Orange Economy and positioning Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai as an epicenter of cultural innovation. By strengthening India’s cultural economy, the regional art ecosystems, and moving towards zero-waste production practices, the play demonstrates how theatre can be artistic, civic, and economically transformative at once. 

Commenting on how Rashtragranth was conceptualized, Darshan Mahajan, Founder of Artistic Humans said: “Rashtragranth bridges art, education, and citizenship through an immersive 120-minute theatrical experience that transforms constitutional awareness into emotional storytelling. More than a play, this initiative aspires to be the cornerstone of a nationwide movement demonstrating how social messages can be communicated powerfully and inclusively through theatre and performing arts.” 

Talking about bringing accessible and inclusive experiences to theatre, Prathmesh Navalkar, Founder of Culturally by ShubhLab said: “Our vision behind Rashtragranth is to create a sustainable ecosystem for artists and technicians who breathe life into this project, which will grow with every state opening doors to this. To curate inclusive experiences, we are integrating workshops and art experiences around the Constitution and folk arts forms, enabling assistive tech for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and lowering ticket fee than the industry standards.” 

With Rashtragranth, Maharashtra is paving the way for a model that other states can adopt to spread constitutional literacy. This initiative aligns closely with ongoing national efforts such as the “Har Dil Mein Samvidhan” campaign, which has successfully mobilized thousands of organizations and communities to celebrate, learn, and reflect on the Constitution. 

About Artistic Humans: LinkedIn | About Culturally by ShubhLab: https://shubhlabindia.com/