Naqal Shaili, a folk theatre form of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, is a popular form of entertainment that also deals with several social issues. This mimetic art allows costumed stage actors to exploit dramatic irony for stage effect and present various theatrical or dramatic situations. All plays of Naqal feature a storyteller character. The Naqals are quick witted and were originally popular for fairground and vaudeville entertainment to attract crowds. Eventually they also began to entertain royalty. Merchants and rich landlords also patronised this form of entertainment, the central theme of which is the common man. The word Naqal has Arabic origins, and the content of the plays is considerably influenced by stories from the Middle East. However, the original form is a classical performance that is more than 150 years old.
The Naqals traditionally performed at fairgrounds and at weddings. Presently, the Naqals perform at local festivals and NZCC-supported programmes. The number of perfomances at marriages have decreased considerably.
Naqals present both traditional and contemporary trends. But unlike Bhaand Mirasi performance, the performances are not skits. Their subject matter has changed over time and include popular kissas and waran (epic, romantic and heroic poems). They portray semi-historical tales such as Dulla Bhatti, Sohni Mahiwal, Kima Malki, Hodi and Koklan. Naqals are natural performers and experts in entertaining others with witty jokes best suited to the occasion. The common man is generally the central theme around which the performance develops. Mummers and comic wits, they exploit tricks of exaggeration, absurdity, malapropism, comic gags, and lewd references.
Basically, Naqaal is the art of imitation. In Naqaal, the artists try to imitate life in a manner that provokes violent laughter among the audience. Naqaals not only entertain but do the role of instructing also. Naqaal artists exhibit their art through crisp conversation kind of dialogues.