Through theatre, Rama Pandey brings to life the extraordinary journey of a Kinnar who dares to challenge social prejudices and dreams of a better future for underprivileged children.

An evening dedicated to voices that deserve to be heard, stories that deserve to be told, and lives that deserve equal respect. ‘Ek Shaam Kinnaron Ke Naam’, organised by Ratnav – Rama Theatre Natya Vidya Theatre Foundation on 12th November, 2026 at Shri Ram Centre, Mandi House, New Delhi, brought the experiences, struggles and aspirations of the Kinnar community into focus through literature, dialogue and theatre.

The programme opened with an engaging discussion on ‘Kinnar in the Eyes of Literature’, exploring how literature and society perceive the Kinnar community, their identity and their place in the social fabric. The occasion also celebrated distinguished contributions to Indian culture. Shri Purushottam Agrawal was honoured with the Ratnav Lifetime Achievement Award for his notable contribution to literature, while Padma Bhushan Pandit Sajan Mishra received the honour for his outstanding contribution to music.

The highlight of the evening was the theatrical presentation of ‘Lallan Miss’, written, produced and directed by Rama Pandey. More than a theatrical narrative, the play draws inspiration from the extraordinary real-life journey of Rajkumari, popularly known as Lallan Hijra, a Kinnar from Patna who took a remarkable initiative to establish a school for children living in the city’s slum communities.

Her dream was simple yet powerful: to give underprivileged children access to education and the possibility of a better future. Despite running the school for nearly 15 years, she faced threats from land mafias who eventually set the school on fire. Yet, adversity could not silence her determination. She continued her efforts to rebuild the school with the support of other active members of the community.

It is this remarkable spirit of courage, resilience and social commitment that forms the emotional core of ‘Lallan Miss’.

The play brings attention to the everyday struggles of the Kinnar community, their emotional experiences, social exclusion and the constant battle for dignity and acceptance. At the same time, it presents a refreshing perspective through its central character, who, despite facing discrimination herself, chooses to work for the future of children who are equally marginalised by society.

Lallan Miss challenges the conventional perception of the Kinnar community. Her journey reminds audiences that identity should never become a barrier to education, opportunity or human dignity. The play makes a compelling statement: Kinnars are equal members of society, with dreams, aspirations, abilities and the same right to live with respect.

Rama Pandey’s creative vision goes beyond portraying social hardship. Through this production, she seeks to create a space where the Kinnar community can share its stories and experiences through the language of art and theatre. Her belief is that theatre has the power to broaden perspectives, challenge prejudices and encourage meaningful social change.

Performances and Creative Team

Shehzor Ali played the central role of Lallan Miss, bringing the protagonist’s journey to the stage, while Yagyansh portrayed Choti Lallan. Amarjeet Arora played Guru Maa, Gaurav Verma appeared as Kali Kinnar, Ravi Shankar as Salma Kinnar, Garvit as Rosy Kinnar, Mohit as Sonam and Kunal Thakur as Sarah Kinnar.

The supporting cast included Vidya Dutta as Rupali, Vyas Anand as Police, Durgesh Kumar as Driver, Lovika as Choti Rama Pandey, Mangat Ram as Jamrood and Purnima Jain as Dadi. The children’s ensemble featured Gurkirat, Vishesh Singh, Tanishka, Krishita, Lovika, Madhav and Yagyansh. Soni Shekhar, Sunita, Anjali, Anju, Shonail and Anjali Adaa also contributed to the production.

The musical arrangements added a distinct cultural character to the presentation. Yusuf Khan performed on the Bhapang, Subh Subrati on the Dholak and Ashok on the Harmonium. Bilal Ameen, Ghulam Mohd, Anil Sadu and Javed contributed Kashmiri music. Light design was by Ashfaq Noor Khan Pathan, costumes by Ghazala Saad and make-up by Nazish, Santosh, Jai Hind and Neha. Keshav handled the camera, Purnima Jain was the Assistant Director and Ashok Malkani served as Production Controller.

About Ratnav and Rama Pandey

Ratnav – Rama Theatre Natya Vidya Theatre Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting India’s traditional oral arts and cultural traditions. Alongside safeguarding this heritage, the organisation works towards creating livelihood opportunities for traditional artists and bringing their artistic contributions to wider audiences through theatre.

Founded on a vision of cultural preservation and creative expression, the initiative is associated with Rama Pandey, a well-known media personality and theatre practitioner. She is the creative force behind ‘Lallan Miss’, serving as its storyteller, writer, producer and director.

With ‘Lallan Miss’, Rama Pandey brings an important social conversation to the stage. The production is a reminder that every individual deserves the freedom to dream, the opportunity to grow and the dignity of being accepted.

Ultimately, the message of the play resonates far beyond the theatre auditorium: Equality is not about giving someone a place in society; it is about recognising that they have always belonged.