Maharashtra to Witness Constitutional Literacy through Dramatic Arts with 'Rashtragranth'

A copy of the Constitution in one hand and a mask on the face — a young protester stood at Delhi's India Gate recently to protest against the increasing air pollution in the city, a picture of which went viral across social media platforms. The aim was clear: to show how the constitutional right to life is in trouble for citizens with the lingering problems of air pollution in the nation’s capital.

A 2015 study by the Magna Carta Trust found that constitutional literacy is below 40%,a large portion of the population is unaware of their rights and duties. The Kerala State Literacy Mission created a constitutional literacy program using a simplified handbook that covers fundamental principles. The success of Kerala's campaign has led to similar programs being implemented in other states, such as Karnataka.

Here in Mumbai, ahead of Constitution Day, Rashtragranth is gearing up for the state-wide play that is going to be held across all districts, aiming to reach audiences in every corner of the state with a similar aim — to raise awareness about the Indian Constitution.

After six months of intensive research uncovering profound insights from India’s constitutional and cultural legacy, and helmed by veteran theatre director Kumar Sohoni, the play will be performed across the state after an "overwhelming response" to pilot shows across 10 districts.

At a time when youth engagement with civic issues and awareness is being seen quite frequently — from the Supreme Court order on dog relocation to air pollution and other 'Gen Z protests' — the play acts as a cultural intersection with the nation’s polity. He commented, "The Constitution is not just a document, but the fundamental force that gives every Indian equality and freedom. Rashtragranth is not a documentary, but a dramatic experience that will make the audience think and be inspired," says the director Kumar Sohoni.

Aiming to spread awareness among young audiences, the 120-minute play will be a two-act experience with 51 characters, blending storytelling, history, and emotion. The musical piece has been created by Milind Joshi, and the costumes have been designed by Chaitrali Dongre, capturing the essence of India’s 15 distinctive eras.

Commenting on the urge to captivate the interest of the youth, Producer Darshan Mahajan says, "With Rashtragranth, we are trying to connect audiences to the Constitution on both an emotional and an intellectual level.”

Simplifying the complexity

Talking to Local Samosa, the writer Abhiram Bhadkamkar, a senior playwright, novelist, and screenplay writer, states that narrating a story about the Constitution is a "challenging task". "We designed this play to show how the Constitution affects not just lawmakers, but every citizen. It is not merely historical documentation—it is a dynamic force shaping our lives every day," says Bhadkamkar, who is popular for his work on social sensitivity and grounded realism.

Originally unveiled in early 2025 in the presence of Shri Bhimrao Yashwant Ambedkar, the play is based on the consciousness wave of "Har Dil Mein Samvidhan”. Prasad Thorve, a celebrated writer, playwright, and storyteller, while talking about it, says, "This play is the story of the firm foundations of democracy, in which Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s voice and the force of his ideas must reach every audience member."

Notably, around the Lok Sabha elections in 2024, the consciousness around holding, keeping, and showing the Indian Constitution had gained momentum with the opposition INDIA bloc spearheading the movement.

Constitutional literacy is essential for creating active and aware citizens who can fully participate in and contribute to a democracy. When people understand their rights and responsibilities, they are better equipped to assert their ownership of the Constitution in their daily lives.