केहर सिंह ठाकुर

Born on 15 April 1973 in village Bari Da Gran in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, Shri Kehar Singh Thakur is a science graduate from Himachal Pradesh University. He has also obtained a PG Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from IGNOU, Delhi. Shri Thakur has learnt the nuances of theatre from Amitava Dasgupta while working with him for 13 years in Delhi. He also passionately pursued his interest in the folk theatre of his State and effectively used the elements of folk theatre and narratives in his plays which have been presented before the urban audience as well as performed in villages and small towns in many parts of the country. A Sangeet Bhushan in Indian Classical Music (Vocal) from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh, Shri Thakur has received the Junior Scholarship in folk theatre, and later a Fellowship in theatre from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Currently he is presenting his plays under the banner of Active Monal Cultural Association, Kullu since 1998.
Shri Kehar Singh Thakur has directed more than 19 full-length plays and 25 short plays. He has also written three full-length plays namely Dugdh Dhenu, Rana Jheena and Chiriya ke Bahane based on Himachali folk tales and history and has also written 15 short plays. Shri Thakur has been a fine actor as well. He has worked in many plays presented by the Brechtian Mirror, Delhi such as A Doll’s House, Kahika, Nayan Bhari Talaiya, Bachchae to name a few. While working with (Late) Amitava Dasgupta, he organized many workshops on rejuvenating Himachali performing art forms. He is currently working on Himachali folk theatre forms which are facing extinction.
For his work so far, Shri Thakur has been felicitated by many organizations including the Himtaru Rajya Samman (2012).
Shri Kehar Singh Thakur is awarded Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar of Sangeet Natak Akademi for 2013-14 for his notable talent in Folk Theatre of Himachal Pradesh.