Indraprastha Natya Mandal's premier show in May 1950 , of Vivah Bandhan was greatly appreciated by the theatre critics and ran to packed audiences in Autumn of the same year.It went through several revivals and was termed as " the best Hindustani play we have seen in a long time. " The Quatermaster General of Ibdia , Major General SBS Chimni, enjoyed it so much that he felt compelled to pen a letter of appreciation , calling the play " a grand succession all respects- especially the stage settings and dialogue in particular.
The lack of venues to stage plays was one of numerous difficulties plaguing theatre of the time. In the 1950s Delhi had only the open-air Wavell Theatre at Janpath (which had to be equipped with folding chairs and covered with a marquee for performances), Sapru House and the Fine Arts Theatre which charged prohibitive rents, and a small 150-seater hall at YMCA.
‘Alternatively one had to hire Dining Halls of Metro Restaurant … or Standard Restaurant (then known as Davico) and convert them to make-believe Theatre Halls; but worst of all was the cajoling, blackmailing, pleading and promising one had to do in order to sell a few tickets, if only to cover some of the basic expenses, and gather a sprinkling of an audience for the shows.