Saang theatre performance is based on the open stage technique which means imitating or disguising. It consists of all male cultural troupe of Haryana comprising around 30- 40 artists including producer musicians, actors, and directors. Towards the end of the 19th century, all women Saang troupes started performing in western Uttar Pradesh and the adjoining khadar area of Haryana.
The stage of Saang does not need any complicated arrangement of the modern dramatic performances. There are no curtains and no green rooms for makeup. There is only a square wooden platform which is about three and a half meters long and wide. And any open space like a field, courtyard or the balcony of the temple can be used for this folk theatre. Moreover, there is no loudspeaker used in this theatre where the artists perform for as long as 6 hours at a stretch based on their skill and stamina.
Several musical instruments like ektara, kurta, Dolak, sarangi, and harmonium are used to bring about the flavor into the dialogues delivered during the performance. The peculiar feature of this folk theatre is that men dressed as women to play female characters. Recently women have replaced men and have their swang troupe in which it is all women instead of men.
The musicians of the orchestra create an entertaining environment by playing instruments an hour before the show begins. They sing some religious, traditional songs or other songs connected with the play. Finally, after touching the feet of their Guru, the Saang play is started by the artists with a song of bhakti in praise of the Goddess of knowledge (Bhawani).
Folk theatre of Saang in Haryana has a solid base since its start and is still very popular. Variety of themes and love stories have been adopted in this theatre form such as nautanki, Padmaavat, Nihalde, Prahlad Bhagat, Heer Ranjha, Puran Bhagat Raja Bhoj Harishchandra, Gopichand Bhartari Hari, etc
