'Agarbatti’ Finds an Appreciative Audience at WZCC’s Rangshala

Udaipur, August 4, 2025  – Under its monthly theatre evening series Rangshala, the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), Udaipur organised a powerful performance of the Hindi play Agarbatti on Sunday, August 3, at Darpan auditorim in Shilpgram. The play was met with strong appreciation from a packed audience of theatre lovers.

Furqan Khan, Director of WZCC Udaipur, informed that this performance was presented by Samagam Rangmandal, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) as part of the monthly theatre initiative. 

About the Play

Written by Ashish Pathak and directed by Swati Dubey, Agarbatti raises burning questions about caste, gender discrimination and violence against women, while also attempting to provide meaningful resolutions. The play examines these themes as deeply interconnected and inseparable, reflecting on the reality of Indian society. It highlights systemic injustice and the emotional scars endured by women.

The story begins in an incense stick factory where widows of the Thakurs — who were killed by Phoolan Devi — are working. Damyanti, the wife of one of the slain Thakurs, plans revenge by rallying the women to assassinate Phoolan Devi. However, no one supports her.

Haunted by a traumatic memory of childhood abuse and realising the evil her own husband committed, Damyanti mixes his ashes into the incense powder used in the factory. She reflects that a sinner, who shows no mercy while committing sins, should also burn slowly — bit by bit — like an incense stick.