These are some of the members of Budhan Theatre, their families and community.

In 2003, dramatist Dakxin Bajrange had done some plays criticizing police brutality. The inspector of the local police station threatened Dakxin with dire consequences. Later that year, Dakxin and his father were arrested on a trumped up charge.

Dadi, Dakxin’s grandmother. When she was a teenager, the entire family was arrested and put into a settlement in Maharashtra. Their nomadic way of life came to an end. The administrator of that settlement arranged her marriage with Dakxin’s grandfather and she came to the settlement in Chharanagar.

Roxy Gagdekar is a founding member of Budhan Theatre and a journalist at Gujarat Samachar.

Rukmini Gagdekar (left) is one of the few women commerce graduates in the community, she is going to school for journalism. Kalpana Gagdekar (right) isn’t formally schooled, which hasn’t stopped her from being a very articulate member of Budhan, and an award winning actress.andkal” />

Vijay works with the children of the community, he does not aspire to be an artist, and on our last trip to Chharanagar, Vijay was studying for the police department exams — an unusual choice for a Chhara, who are typically deeply suspicious and resentful of the police.

Sushil used to sell bootlegged liquor. His brother was killed in a gang shooting. He loves theatre but wonders if he will be able to support his theatre without any prospects for a decent job.

Vivek’s mother used to work as a thief, however she has managed to keep Vivek away from an occupation of petty crime. Vivek teaches theater in a local college to support his own education.