While watching the play 'Syal Singh' at a theater in Thapagaun, a five-year-old boy was crying and holding his mother near my seat.

By the time the play ended and he came out, his crying had turned into laughter. I approached the boy's mother and asked, "Why did your father cry while watching the play?" The mother looked at her son and said, "The lion's brothers beat the jackal. It hurts me to know why they beat their own friend." If a play instills compassion in a child's mind, it should be considered commendable.

While children's plays are rarely staged in theaters, a theater in Thapagaun is an exception. Just a few months ago, this team had traveled to various parts of the east with the play 'Kharayo Ra Kachuwa'. This time too, the play 'Syal Singh', aimed at children, has been staged since Asar 5.

This play tells the story of human relationships through the stories of wild animals. It tells the story of nature, wild civilization and people in a way that makes them understand. From the east, the young director Tirtha Vishwakarma had come to Kathmandu with the story of ‘Syal Singh’. He also occasionally gives drama training to school children in the east. While watching the

play, I was reminded of the story ‘The Giving Tree’ written in 1964 by the American poet and writer Shel Silverstein, which I read in my early school days. The friendship between the tree and the child in the story was so strong that I began to feel more compassion for every tree and plant. I began to realize that they are also kind like people. As the child grew up and became an adult, the tree became empty as it gave. Its impression was deep in my mind. This play also has the power to have the same effect on the child’s mind.

The story of the play based on the fable ‘Syal Singh’ is included in the syllabus of class 8. This play, which is woven in a delicate manner, teaches children to be more gentle. It teaches them to love animals more. If a pet kept at home is sold by its parents, how long will its impact be felt by the children? For children, animals are like companions. Whether the adults realize it or not, the children have realized the existence of those pets.

The play Syal Singh is also a story of existence. A fox, who is safe with his father in the forest, is left alone one day. His father and friends are scattered while running away to avoid an elephant attack. A hungry lion meets the lonely fox. Seeing him small and loving, he takes him home and raises him as his own son.

The lion What will happen when the identity of the raised fox grows up? Director Tirtha has skillfully set this story, which is called a deep philosophy from a simple story. He has fused humans with animal incarnations. Whether it is a lion or a fox, or a rabbit, he has added human feelings to the animals. Therefore, despite the setting of the forest, the audience can connect this story with their village and society. The childlike qualities seen in the characters of the story make the audience more enchanted. Props have been used beautifully in the play. The actors wearing animal masks have tried to play the fusion character of humans and animals in a believable way.

The students of the latest batch of a theater are the actors of the play. The actors do not have room for improvement. In some places, the dialogue style and gait of the actors do not seem natural. However, in the first play, their activeness and presence are important.

The main character of the play, Syaal Singh, seems natural. The actor Sabin Thami has presented the fox's gestures and natural movements in a believable manner. When the fox begins to show the lion's behavior, Sabin has beautifully portrayed the contradictions within him.

The play has been further embellished with music. Along with the story graph, songs have also narrated the story.

Since the target audience of the play is children, the director should be more sensitive in some places. For example, some scenes have been created in a way that makes the audience jump. This can affect the young audience.

If the audience can feel the forest even inside the hall, it can be assumed that the set construction and lighting work is being done reliably. In this play, not only children, but also parents who sit with them can understand a lot. The environment in which children grow up has an impact on their upbringing and thinking. The play is deeply told.