I Am Bihar

Main Bihar Hoon (I am Bihar) is a dramatic adaptation based on Srikant's political articles and stories. A stark commentary on Bihar's social and political realities, the play focuses mainly on the period referred to as 'Jungle Raj' in the state's history. It delves into the challenges of governance, issues of corruption and crime, providing a closely observed perspective on life in Bihar as seen through a journalist's eyes. The play recollects crucial moments in Bihar's history and voices the anguish and aspirations of its people. An excerpt:

- Srikant

I am Bihar. My life's thread is attached with Delhi. Along with Delhi, I too was born. The British rule made two decisions. Delhi became the capital of modern India and I too got a new form. I am Bihar. Gautam Buddha's Bihar. Mahavir's workplace. Ashok and Chandragupta are my children. Vaishali Republic is my past. Bihar with a new democratic setup. My present. I too got a new identity along with Delhi, however, like Delhi, my identity is not static.

I am Bihar. Along with fields and lands of the plain areas my identity has been made from the coal and copper mines. I was seen by Xuanzang, Megasthenese and Buchanan. They saw my progress and helplessness. The ruins of Nalanda and Vikramshila are witness to these. Ganga of knowledge, the politics, that diplomacy starts with my own Chanakya; the reform movement of Arya Samaj is associated with me; the arrival of Gandhi and his Champaran Satyagraha. I was the one who gave Gandhi his new identity. I inspired Baba Ram Udaar to give the slogan, “Don’t run away but change the world”. Before the second independence of JP, I also became the base area of Swami Sahjanand, Triveni Sangh and Lohia. The underground life led by Vinod Mishra. Youth looking for a ground for movement. Crumbling fortresses and monasteries.

I am Bihar. I don’t talk about revolt. Still, the first Urdu Newspaper ‘Murg-e-Bihar’, wrote ‘Bihar for Biharis’. I also like to breathe in free air. I have reduced from 10 crores to eight crores. I am a Bihar of 16 crores pairs of eyes and hands. More than half of the people do not have land. However, the bungalows that own land rule over the villages. The land is being guarded. Monsters have pointed guns at the agricultural lands.