SPOTLIGHT FORUM

presents

Jashn-e-Qalam's HAMAARI KAHAANI

Experience an enchanting blend of storytelling and literature with solo performances of iconic Hindustani short stories - a roller-coaster of emotions: laughter, tears, and surprises.

FITRATI CHOR

Written by Vijaydan Detha

Performed by Vicky Ahuja

In a world built on promises and constructed by hypocrites, liars and cheaters, a natural born thief must pay the price for his truth, honesty and integrity.

Vijaydan Detha (1926 – 2013) was a noted folklorist & short story writer who gave a new life to the Rajasthani language by translating the oral to the written and transforming it richly in the process. His writings have seen numerous screen and stage adaptations including Habib Tanvir's Charandas Chor, Prakash Jha's Parinati, Amol Palekar's Paheli, and Mani Kaul’s Duvidha.

Vicky Ahuja works as a professional actor in various media. He has worked in more than 25 plays across India, with well-known directors such as Makarand Deshpande & Ashok Purang. His film credits include Bhagat Singh, Veer Zaara, Raaz 2, 1920 Evil Returns & Firaaq. In Television, he has appeared in shows like Daayan, Meri Durga, Crime Patrol, CID, Woh & Hip Hip Hurray.  

BASAUDE KI MARIYAM

Written by Asad Mohammad Khan

Performed by KC Shankar

Beyond beliefs and boundaries, religion and rituals, scriptures and statutes stands God's Nation; where love is the sole dogma and denomination.

Asad Mohammad Khan (born 1931) is an Urdu short story writer & poet, and a winner of the ‘Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi Noor-o-Nazm’ and ‘Majlis-e-Farogh Urdu Adab’ Awards. He has written several television plays and published five collections of short stories to date.  

KC Shankar works as a professional Stage and Screen Actor. He has been with 'The Phoenix Players', an acclaimed English Theatre company under the guidance of thespians - Salim Ghouse & Anita Salim since 2009. His prominent screen work includes: Rocket Boys, Rudra, Mithya, Loop Lapeta, Crime Stories, Special Ops, Mardani 2, Typewriter, Music Teacher, Heropanti, Samrajyam 2, Rebel, Aata, Virudhagiri, Santoshi Maa, Jamai Raja, Siyaasat and Word-Match.

JASHN-E-QALAM

Founded by KC Shankar & Shashwita Sharma

9 years | 275+ Shows | 13,800+ viewers 

Hindustani literature has been the muse of many artists over the last century. As a collective of professional stage and screen actors, we have found ourselves drawn to its beauty and rootedness, its enduring ability to entertain and enrich our minds. Through performances of short stories, we take the spirit of Hindustani literature to audiences in different contexts and venues. Our craft is storytelling — the oldest form of theater, practiced since the dawn of civilization. The introspective and interactive nature of our shows results in the creation of a space for dialogue — empowering the audience to become storytellers. 

SPOTLIGHT FORUM

Spotlight Forum is a non-profit cultural initiative focused on the Performing Arts. We believe in the power of the arts to move and inspire us, question our beliefs, and hold a mirror to society. We are committed to contributing to the art and cultural landscape of our city, by nurturing talent, fostering artistic exchange, and collaborating with other cultural organizations. Founded in 2023, Spotlight Forum has hosted artists from India and abroad with events in theatre, spoken word, storytelling, and music. Spotlight Forum is an initiative of Integral Arts Foundation, a registered not-for-profit Section 8 Company.