Mohd. Yaseen
In the remote district of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, a quiet cultural revolution has been taking place, driven by the passion and vision of one man: Vishal Pahari born in 1981, Vishal is a theatre director, actor, educator, and social reformer whose contributions have brought regional art forms like Pahari and Gojri to the national stage while transforming lives in some of the most underserved corners of the country.
Academically accomplished, Vishal holds a Master’s degree in English, an M.Phil, and a B.Ed. from the University of Jammu. His journey in theatre began during his student days when he won the Best Actor Award at the University’s “Display Your Talent” competition in both 2000 and 2002. Although he excelled as an actor, his true calling was in direction, mentorship, and cultural empowerment through theatre.
Today, Vishal serves as an Assistant Professor at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University in Rajouri. Alongside his academic career, he founded the Rangmanch Theatre Group, which has grown into a leading cultural platform in the region. Under his leadership, Rangmanch has staged more than 70 plays across nearly 40 national drama festivals, highlighting the richness of Jammu and Kashmir’s linguistic and artistic traditions.
His contributions have earned him national recognition through several prestigious awards. In 2024, Vishal received the Karamyogi National Award from Sanskar Bharati Agra and the Parichay Sammaan from Parichay Kala Sansthan in Odisha for his role in promoting the Pahari and Gojri languages and theatre traditions. In 2022, he was honoured with the Sudarshan Gour Award by All India Artists Shimla and the Duggar Da Maan Award from the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha for his efforts in promoting Pahari and Dogri through theatre.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal extended his work beyond the stage. He used street theatre and live interaction to spread awareness about the virus, especially in rural areas with limited access to digital media. His efforts were acknowledged by Natrang Jammu with a special award, and he was also conferred the Real Super Heroes Award by Star India for spreading hope and awareness during the public health crisis.
One of his most notable achievements is the successful organisation of four National Drama Festivals in Rajouri since 2021. These festivals were conducted without any financial support from the government, yet they managed to attract prominent theatre groups from across India. This initiative brought national-level theatre to a border town that had rarely seen such cultural exposure, giving local residents access to professional performances and enriching the region’s artistic landscape.
Recently, his theatre group made history by organising the Devbhoomi National Drama Festival at the iconic Gaiety Theatre in Shimla. This event became a symbol of cultural exchange, showcasing the strength and reach of community-driven theatre from Rajouri.
Vishal has also left a mark in film and television. He acted in the Pahari feature film Lakeer, directed by Shivdutt Sharma and produced by Ali Daalat. He featured in the Bollywood web series Lashkar, directed by Shoket Naseem, and in the Dogri film Geetiyan, which starred Bollywood actor Yashpal Sharma. His television appearances include roles in Birtiyan on DD Kashir, Neelima on DD Urdu, and Nimaane, a Punjabi serial.
As a filmmaker, Vishal has produced over thirty short films that raise awareness about social issues such as drug addiction, female foeticide, and communal harmony. Many of these are in the Pahari language and are aimed at both entertainment and education. His short film Traffic Police was nominated for the “Dil Maange More” Film Festival organised by the Indian Army in Udhampur, which featured personalities like Daisy Shah, Irfan Khan, Sara Ali Khan, and Rahat Kazmi.
He has also been deeply committed to empowering marginalised children. Through Rangmanch Theatre Group, he has provided training and performance opportunities to many underprivileged children from slums and rural areas. Several of these children have gone on to perform at national-level theatre festivals and competitions, using the stage as a stepping stone to confidence and a better future.
Vishal is widely known in his community as the “blood man,” having donated blood regularly since his college days. He has organised numerous blood donation camps in association with the Government Medical College Hospital in Rajouri. His next camp is scheduled to take place on Independence Day, reinforcing his belief in celebrating national occasions with service to society.
His commitment to public welfare was particularly evident during the pandemic. He personally delivered food, medicines, and oxygen cylinders to people in far-flung villages, often risking his own health to ensure others were safe and cared for. His presence in these remote locations provided not only material aid but also moral support to communities in distress.
As a cultural activist, Vishal has also led an impactful campaign against drug abuse. His theatre group has performed over 300 street plays on the subject in various states including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. These performances were held in villages, towns, schools, and even along the international border with Pakistan in locations such as Khari Karmara, Lower Krishna Ghati, and Ajote, where young people are especially vulnerable to substance abuse.
His philanthropic work includes helping economically weak students by paying their school and college fees and providing books and study materials. Many of these students have pursued higher education with dignity and hope because of his support.
Vishal’s experience has made him a respected jury member in numerous theatre and cultural competitions. He has judged the All India National Drama Competition “Rangodya” in Agra and several state and district-level contests such as Chhuna Hai Aasmaan, Kala Utsav, and school-level theatre competitions. He has also served as a jury member in events hosted by Army Goodwill Schools.
Vishal Pahari’s life reflects a rare blend of artistic brilliance and social responsibility. Through his contributions to theatre, education, cinema, and community service, he has become a symbol of how deeply rooted cultural commitment can uplift not just art but entire communities. His work continues to inspire young artists, educators, and change-makers across India, proving that even in the remotest corners of the country, one individual can spark transformation with vision, sincerity, and relentless dedication.
(The writer is a National Scholarship & Fellowship Holder from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.)
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