A simple story about a petty thief, who did not lie and had a strong sense of integrity, took the audience by storm when it first opened in India, and then at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1982. Based on a classical Rajasthani folk tale, Habib Tanvir interpreted the story of Charandas Chor as a play. It marked the beginning of Naya Theatre, helmed by him and Moneeka Misra Tanvir. The play was presented in the Chhattisgarhi language, and used a creative dialogue between Tanvir and Chhattisgarhi folk artistes. It used Nacha, a popular folk form from the central Indian state that integrates music, dance and drama into a theatrical performance.

Director Shivdas Ghodke (right) explains a scene to Rani; (Right) The protagonist with the hawaldar