Tagore Theatre Fest concludes with Kabuliwala

Organized by J&K Cultural Academy, the seven-day long 'Tagore Theatre Festival', concluded with dramatized Hindi version of Tagore's famous story Kabuliwala, by Theatre Mitra, at auditorium of state ladies school, Gandhi Nagar, here today.Adapted by Rajneesh Gupta, designed and directed by Sanjay Kapil, the play 'Kabuliwala' was the center warming story of a Pathan from Kabul, who involves Calcutta to earn cash and befriends four-year-old Mini from a middle category family since she reminds him of his own daughter back home.The Pathan decides to travel back home once collecting his dues from a person who has bought a scarf from him.

When he asks for his cash, the person abuses the Pathan, who feeling angry and insulted, gets rid of a knife and kills him accidentally and is imprisoned for ten years. On his unharness, he goes to visualize Mini, however the currently grown-up woman has forgotten him. Stunned, he realizes his own daughter too might have forgotten him by currently. He longs to travel there however has no cash. Eventually, helped with money by Mini's father, he leaves for Afghanistan within the hope of being reunited together with his daughter.Today's production style with suggestive window and therefore the street alluded through minimum use of sets, succeeded in making the atmosphere of a middle category home of a author. Ajay Kohli helped by his own bulky countenance was affective in portrayal of the large however tender 'Kabuliwala'. He conjointly successfully maintained the Pathani accent throughout the play.Chander Sharma as author with passionate heart conjointly gave an honest performance. Shagun Kapil as Mini won the hearts of audience for enacting the role of an innocent and curious kid. different members of the solid included Litika as Razia as Kabuliwala's daughter, Sudesh Kumar as policeman, Sanjay Kapil as Das Uncle.The background music by Surinder Manhas and songs sung by Chander Sharma supported the emotive import of the scenes. The lights were handled competently by Aditya Bhanu, costumes by Shagun Kapil and make-up by Shiv Dev Singh.Dr Sudhir Mahajan, Senior Instructor Drama, the in-charge of pageant, thanked the audience on behalf of the Academy. He conjointly thanked Prof Nalini Kohli, Principal, Government ladies school, Gandhi Nagar, for full cooperation and support.

International Theatre workshop begins at Natrang 
Natrang Children Theatre Camp concludes

Academys Tagore Theatre competition opens with Khazana

In continuation to the a hundred and fiftieth year birth celebrations of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the Seven-Day competition of Rabindranath Tagore's plays, organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, started, here today.

With the Abhinav Theatre closed for repairs, the competition, being held at the Gandhi Nagar Government girls faculty Auditorium, opened with adaptation of Tagore's short story 'Khazana', in Hindi by Nav Durga Kala Mandir.

The play custom-made, dramatized and directed by Shashi Bhushan, was a discuss the materialistic tendencies within the society. That how folks driven by the insatiable want for hidden treasures as a panacea for assuaging their material wealth and standing, stop puzzling over the $64000 treasure: the bounties of life that surrounds them just like the nature, setting, land and also the family.

The plot of the play revolves around one Ravishankar who finding that the skull-given by his grandfather that contained the map to a hidden treasure-has been stolen leaves his home and wife to look for a similar.

After a sequence of events, he succeeds to find the treasure however is unable to induce out of the spot. Thirsty and hungry, he realizes that the $64000 treasure isn't the wealth however bounties that outline one's life and to be able to live it with fullness is that the real treasure.

Despite the shortage of fascinating facilities like correct lights and sound equipment and different infrastructure in Gandhi Nagar Government girls faculty Auditorium, today's presentation-notwithstanding the technical handicap of dim lights, that place nice strain upon the spectators-managed to bring home to the audience the message of the play.

Dilshad Shazi within the role of Ravishanker gave an honest performance. He was particularly effective within the Cave sequence where he goes ecstatic once discovering the treasure. Kamaljeet Singh within the personification of 'Khazana' as a snake additionally performed well.

Other members of the forged included Shashi Bhushan and Shishupal Khajuria as Sadhus, Rakesh Dogra as Grandfather and Pujajri, Komal Parihar as Radhika, Aman Verma as Villager. The members of the chorus included Ishmeet Kaur, Vanshika Kour, Muskan Kour, Jaspreet Kour, Renu, Aishwariya Sumbria, Mehak Sharma, Surbhi Kalsi, and Prabharanjanee.

The music and also the 'chorus' of young dancers choreographed and designed by Padam Nath Kotwal, an alumni of IMFA, Jammu, proved to be a mainstay in structuring the play style. The locales of forest, temple, and also the cave through completely different groupings of the 'chorus' were adequately communicated. The costumes style was by Ramesh Malhotra, make-up by Ritu Manhas and lights by Aditya Bhanu.

Nwang Rigzin Jora, minister for tourism and culture, the chief guest of the perform, whereas appreciating the work of Gurudev, said that by dent of his outstanding literary achievements Tagore had created India proud.

Earlier in his welcome address, Commissioner Secretary, tourism and culture and Secretary Academy, Atal Dulloo said that the Tagore theatre competition, that was inaugurated nowadays, would feature fourteen plays of Gurudev. Of that seven are staged at Jammu whereas an equal range of such plays would be showcased in Kashmir valley within the days ahead.

Among others former secretaries of Academy, Prof. Rita Jitendra and Balwant Thakur were additionally gift on the occasion. The Academy was represented by its extra secretaries, Savita Bakshi, Shamima Akhter and Dr. Arvinder Singh Amn. The programme proceedings were conducted by Academy's senior drama instructor, Dr. Sudhir Mahajan.

Midnight open air drama in Jammu

Jammu Drama Festival 2012

Khand Mithe Lok Dogre

After creating a new chapter in radio listening especially amongst the young generations, 92.7 BIG FM, India’s No. 1 FM Network, as part of its endeavor to develop and nurture a close relationship with its listeners, organized a Meet and Greet of BIG FM’s exclusive Dogri show "Khand Mithe Lok Dogre-season 2", at Department of Computer Science Seminar Hall, University of Jammu, here today.

In the program held to pay tribute to the legendary Son of Soil and great writer Late Dinu Bhai Pant on the day of his birth anniversary, illustrious achievers of Dogri language, art, culture, literature, science and sports who have been on the BIG FM’s Dogri show were specially invited and honored on the occasion.

"Khand Mithe Lok Dogre-season 2", the vernacular program has struck an instant chord with the local audience and became an instant hit with the Dogri audience of the State. The various segments of the program have been designed in such a manner that the listeners not only get to listen to the eminent achievers of the region, but also enrich their knowledge and at the same time listen to the old and new Dogri songs.

The host of the show RJ Pallavi welcomed the dignitaries present and thanked the listeners making the Dogri show a grand success.

Vice Chancellor of University of Jammu Prof. Mohan Paul Singh Ishar, was the guest of honor on the occasion and Mrs Dinu Bhai Pant was special guest on the occasion.

Mementoes were presented to dignitaries and Ravnish Gulati, Promoter Master Cab Cables and Conductor, gave away prizes to the winners of the Sandukhri, a segment of the program based on a quiz on Dogri Vocabulary.

The dignitaries who were honored were Prof Vienna Gupta, Master Kartar Chand, Prof Ved Kumari Ghai, Suman Gupta, Dr Manoj Sharma, Mohan Singh, Mitali, Ravinder Jamwal, Jatinder Singh, Jatinder Kour, Chhatrapal, Khalid Hussain, Dr Rajinder Singh and Prof Champa Sharma.

Vote of thanks was presented by Sidarath Arora, Cluster Head J&K, BIG FM. The show sponsored by Mastercab, the hospitality partner being Spice Food Court and Logistics support was provided by Dee Dee Reprographix, was well coordinated by Vikrant Sharma, Programming Head BIG FM Jammu.

Omar steers J&K out of tumult waters

NPP MLAs Stage Walkout

Choona Hai Asmaan on April 17

The arrangements for conducting the State Level Singing Grand Competition ''Choona Hai Asmaan Season-2' were today finalized at a high level meeting chaired by Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Dilbag Singh . 

The competition will be held here at Police Auditorium Gulshan Ground on April 17 evening.

Discussing the arrangements for the grand event, IGP disclosed that the conduct of the event was aimed to showcase and encourage the talented youth of the State interested in cultural activities. The meeting was told that renowned artists with national fame in the field of art would be part of the jury to adjudge the performance of artists. Arrangements for lodging and boarding of the participants, coming from different places of the State, would be made besides arrangements for stay of other guests. All arrangements for smooth conduct of the grand finale were finalized in the meeting. 

Israr Khan, SSP, who is the Nodal Officer for the event , briefed the meeting about the arrangements made for the event.

Dilbag Singh, stressed upon the management committee members, already constituted to make the arrangements, to work in close coordination to make the event a grand success.

Vodafone offers more than full talk in Jammu and Kashmir

Zero Hour in Council

Sahsa Kyon Laut Aaya

This Sunday witnessed another new and a very intense performance of the play 'Sahsa Kyon Laut Aaya' which has been written by a famous playwright Sudarshan Majithiya and directed by Neeraj Kant. The play contained many dramatic elements both in content and form which were well appreciated by the audience. 

In the play, 'Dilbagh Singh' is much worried as he is not finding a match for his daughter as she is blind. In this desperation, he decides to marry his daughter, 'Harcharan Kaur' with 'Lal Singh' even after knowing that he is a murderer. But he does it in a deceiving manner as Lal Singh was not appraised that Harcharan is blind. On the wedding night, when Lal Singh came to know the whole story, he turns red with the anger, the feeling of being deceived was unbearable for him and in the rage, he decides to kill Dilbagh Singh. He goes to his friend 'Kashmir Singh' and narrates him the story, though Kashmir Singh tries to pacify him but all in vain. Harcharan also tries to counsel him that he should accept the circumstances as the course of nature and show some forgiveness even if he was betrayed but all this was not of much use as he was resolute to punish the culprit. But when he reaches the home of Dilbagh Singh, all the words of Harcharan start sounding in his ears, he was so much emotionally touched that he restrains himself from committing the crime and to the surprise of everyone, he comes back home. Midnight open air drama in Jammu

Balwinder Singh played the role of 'Lal Singh' with full zeal, Sajra Qadir as 'Harcharan Kaur' was also very impressive. Others who supported the play with their wonderful acting include Ashwani Bali as 'Narrator', Atin Tikka as 'Kashmir Singh' and Mohd. Yaseen as 'Dilbagh Singh'. The lights were executed by Neeraj Kant. Sachin Saini operated the music. Sumeet Sharma was the coordinator of the event and also did the presentations.

Taj Mahal

Main Bhi Anna

The theatre artists of Jammu today took a lead ahead and came up with a strong dramatic performance depicting Anna Hazare's crusade against corruption.

A handful of youth belonging to State's theatre fraternity performed a short play entitled "Main Bhi Anna' a tribute to the crusader languishing in jail while fighting for a cause against corruption.

The 30 minutes saga enacted at Mubarak Mandi beneath the idol of Mahatma Gandhi was a well knit oratory by different actors who highlighted the need for a change in the system and society for a prosperous and flourishing India.

Though the play was an impromptu presentation, hundred of evening walkers gathered at the venue and applauded the efforts of the artists in producing a scintillating drama against corruption.

In the play, Dilshad Shazi, the central character of the play attired as Anna Hazare took the centre stage with other actors joining him as 'Aam Janta' and supporting the valuable cause of saving a nation from turning into a total wreck.

Anil Kotwal, Tarun Sharma, Tarun Sudershan Vasson, Reetu Manhas, Sakshi Dogra, Mudassir Bhukhari and Saurav Verma wearing white Kurta Pyjamas and sporting orange and green bands participated in the play while presenting their parts in most stylish performances.

Dilshad Shazi's performance as Anna Hazare who sends a message of 'Ahimsa' across as a tool of strong representation against all political, social and economical ills in a democratic system was highly applauded.

The actor stressed on the need for a change in the society for an overall betterment of human beings and termed corruption as the cancer in the society.

Aaditya Bhanu directed the play which was highly appreciated by the audience and was a Nav Durga Kala Manch presentation.

Speaking on the occasion, Vikram Sharma the senior most stage artist of the state appreciated Aaditya and his team for taking up an effort through theatre. He said, since the theatre is the strongest medium of expression, Jammu artists' role in taking the lead is praiseworthy in this direction and Aaditya and his team deserves kudos for keeping the ethics of realistic theatre alive in its actual perspective".

Natrang Children Theatre Camp concludes

Children in Natrang Children's Theatre Camp-2011 are showing amazing results in all spheres of creativity. This was informed here today by Natrang Director, Balwant Thakur on the completion of the first phase of the Natrang Children Theatre Camp-2011. The camp is being conducted by Sumeet Sharma- a trained professional who has proven track record of having done wonderful and excellent work with children.

The workshop is being assisted by Aarushi Thakur and Mohd. Yaseen is the coordinator. Thirty children are being given the opportunity to explore their immense inner abilities through the latest developed techniques of self exploration and mind development. The children are being exposed to the unique training processes which have been developed in Germany and UK and are exclusively meant for mind development and infusing of creativity innovation. Natrang recently got trained all its faculty members through National School of Drama under their 'Theatre-In-Education' programme and all the training methodologies taught in that are being put to use in this theatre camp. In the second phase, work on play production will begin. The play being produced will be staged either at Abhinav Theatre or General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, Jammu before invited audience.

The children who are participating in Natrang's Children Theatre Camp-2011 include Manasvani Oswal, Bhagyashree Kotwal, Gauri Thakur, Aavishi Arora, Akshaj Rohmetra, Gopi Sharma, Ojusvini Kotwal, Laith August Sharma, Sanchita Dubey, Shubhankar Bloria, Shivagha Sidhamani Pathak, Chirag Anand, Chander Pratap Singh Bhau, Kritika Bhau, Tanya Dogra, Sanyam Gupta, Shreya Gupta, Dhanshree Charak, Vatsyayana Singh, Chiranjeev Kotwal, Hridyaanshu Salathia, Rhythm Misher, Divyan Sharma, Vaanya Malhotra, Sugam Mahajan, Arjun Gandotra, Rishab Sharma, Vasumit Gupta, Sachin Saini and Deepshikha Sharma.