Comedy Drama competition

Mr. N N Vohra, Governor, inaugurated 11-day Comedy Drama competition 2012, organized by the Jammu Kashmir Film manufacturers And Artists Cooperative Ltd (JKFMAC) together with the State data Department and J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, at SKICC, here tonight.

The Governor conjointly free a book "Television Production Takneek Aur Tarseel" authored by Ashok Jailkhani, further Director General, Doordarshan, on this occasion.

This Comedy Drama competition, comprising plays in Kashmiri, Urdu, Dogri and Ladakhi, can depict the wonderful cultural heritage of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions. These plays are written and directed by acknowledge writers and theaterists.

Usha Vohra, First Lady, solon Gul, consultant to the Chief Minister, Vijay Bakaya, MLC, Chairman and Members of the Committee on Official Language of the law-makers of Kerala, presently on a visit of J&K, Ashok Jailkhani, further Director General, Doordarshan, Khalid Bashir, Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Zaffar Ahmad, Director, State data Department, Shabir Ahmad Buch, Director, Doordarshan, Jammu, Shami Shair, Director, Doordarshan, Srinagar, senior officers, functionaries of JKFMAC, writers, intellectuals, artists and an oversized variety of art and theatre lovers were gift on the occasion.

The Governor, discovered that tv, Radio, Theatre and alternative styles of mass media square measure terribly powerful suggests that to make awareness among the folks regarding the assorted development and welfare schemes launched by the govt., that go a protracted approach in fast the event method and promoting the welfare of the folks at giant. He accessorial that through the visual media even semi literate and uneducated persons living within the remote areas will pick up advised regarding the programmes and schemes being enforced for his or her welfare.

He aforementioned that involving the people in designing for his or her development contributes to evolving relevant welfare programmes. He aforementioned that well thought-about communication methods will facilitate the policy planners and directors to secure the simplest attainable results through the implementation of varied human development programmes.

The Governor recommended the necessity for fixing a Cultural Centre within the State that remains active throughout the year, organizing drama and art festivals so the inventive skills of the budding artists from every of the 3 regions of the State square measure tidy, the cultural traditions revived and people visiting the State get to understand the wonderful cultural heritage of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions.

Referring to man. Jailkhani's book, "Television Production Takneek Aur Tarseel", the Governor discovered that it had been useful that this volume has currently been translated into four languages and conjointly detected and appreciated abroad.

Mr. Jailkhani gave a resume of the "Television Production Takneek Aur Tarseel" and spoke regarding the aims and objects of scripting this volume.

Prof. Shafi Shauq, former Head, Department of Kashmiri, University of Kashmir, given a review of this book.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Shabbir Hyder, executive and Chief military officer of the JKFMAC, gave details of the second edition of the competition, the primary was organized last year.

Saadat Hassan Mantoo's celebrated play titled, "Tu Tu Main Main", was given on this occasion by the Amateur Theatre cluster, that was extremely appreciated by the audience.

Lekhak staged by Nav Durga Kala Manch

Balwant Gargi’s famous play ‘Lekhak’ was staged today by Nav Durga Kala Manch at its Performing Art Studio, Jammu, in its ongoing Friday Theatre Series.

The play, which is directed by Aaditya Bhanu, is based on a writer, who is busy in writing a creative script for Radio. He undergoes various kinds of creative tensions but finally when he was going to end the script, he gets distracted by his neighbour, his friend and his relative.

The play beautifully portrayed the struggle of a creative writer, his effort, his energy, which he puts in creating a script. Without realizing his mental tension as when he is busy in writing script, everyone visits his home and starts telling their own problems. The play also depicts the life of a common man, who is busy in himself doing something for him, but fails to do so as he gets unfocussed by his colleagues and his work is affected and he gets depressed.

Dilshad Shazi as writer once again proved his mettle by doing such type of serious characters except comedy for which he is famous.

Tarun Sudershan Vasson as his relative was very much in character of a villager and portrayed his worth of acting too.

Reetu Manhas as his neighbour, Kamaljit Singh as his friend and Kibu Bharat as his servant too beautifully enacted their respective roles.

Make up was done by Reetu Manhas while lights were executed by Sudesh Thakur. The music was handled by Parveen Kumar and the presentation was done by Aaditya Bhanu.

Bhand Pather reaches Tangmarg

The eleventh show of the Bhand Pather series being organized by Sangeet Natak Akademi and Natrang, Jammu reached to it's section once the star performing artist of Kashmiri Bhands- the $64000 crowd puller, Mohd. Sadiq vibrated the audiences at Hardushoor (Tangmarg) together with his magic of final histrionics.

The occasion was the presentation of cake Reshi people Theatre's play 'Naag Gaad' written and directed by the lead actor Mohd. Sadiq himself. Appreciating his manner of performance, Natrang Director, Balwant Thakur aforesaid that geographical area is however to check a dynamic ancient actor like Mohd. Sadiq UN agency through his spontaneousness has given a replacement dimension to the tradition of Bhand acting designs.

His play came bent on be a biggest irony on the folks that politicise international happenings here. Kashmiri society is definitely swayed by the false info. If one thing happens somewhere on earth, one finds geographical area is crying for that however back home fail to handle their family issues. This tendency of the folks have created ton of house for the unhealthy components UN agency simply exploit them to settle their own political scores.

The story revolves around a family that is additional involved concerning problems|the problems} of the skin world however hardly have time to handle domestic issues. the top of the family has all data concerning the wards of his neighbors however hardly have any whereabouts of his own kids. The maskhara's created fascinating caricatures that were responded by continual laughters and applauses. The artists UN agency deserves approval for his or her slick performance embody Mohd. Sadiq, Bilal Ahmed, Muneer Ahmed, Nazir Ahmed, Abdul Rashid, Riaz Ahmed, Mohd. Subhan, Ghulam Ahmed, Ghulam Mohd. Ghulam Hassan and Hayat Bhagat.

Earlier within the day, the village Makhmama, Budgam witnessed a plan agitating Bhand play 'Azuk Samaaj' written by Abdul Salam Bhat and directed by Mohd. Akram Bhat that was staged by Sheesh Mahal people Theatre.

The Bhand actors and musicians UN agency participated within the play embody Mohd. Akram, Mohd. Aslam, Ghulam Ahmed, Abdul Majeed, Mohd. Hayat Bhat, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, Bashir Ahmed, Manzoor Ahmed, Abdul Rashid, Muzaffer Ahmed, Mushtaque Ahmed and Maqsood Ahmed.

This twenty show series has been conceptualized, designed and being coordinated by Natrang Director Balwant Thakur UN agency is motor-assisted by Mohd. Yaseen, Manzoor-ul-Haq and Shah-e-Jahan Ahmed Bhagat.

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

Annual Drama Festival Awards announced

J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages today announced the Annual Drama Festival Awards.

The winners include Agni Barkha (First Best Production), Premnath vs Premnath (Second Best Production), Agni Barkha (Best Direction), Premnath vs Premnath (Second Best Direction), Best Actor Male (Mukesh Bakshi for Agni Barkha), Best Actor Female (Kajal Suri for Poornviraam), Second Best Actor Male (ML Saraf for Premnath vs Premnath), Second Best Actor Female (Gurmeet Jamwal), Best Music (Dakghar), Second Best Music (Oma), Best Costume (Agni Barkha), Second Best Costume (Nadir Shah), Best Make up (Agni Barkha), Second Best Make up (Dakghar), Best Set Design (Poornviraam), Best Lights Design (Dakghar), Best Child Artist (Shubham for Dakghar). Besides announcing awards in the above categories, the Academy has also announced certificates of merit in acting for Annual Drama Festival.

Those who have been adjudged best in the category included Sandeep Verma (For Oma), Harishpal Singh (For Rishtey), Ajay Sharma (For Rishtey), Rani Bhan (For Premnath vs Premnath), Shadi Lal (For Premnath vs Premnath), Santosh Sangra (For Ek Dhoop), Rajesh Rana (For Ek Dhoop), Manoj Bhat (Kutey), Vijay Goswami (Kutey), Tapeshwar (For Aadmi Te Chuhey), Poonam Sudan (For Aadmi Te Chuhey), S Pal (For Nadir Shah), Vineet Sharma (For Nadir Shah), Raman Bakshi (For Agni Barkha), Roopali Sharma (For Agni Barkha), Rishi Kumar (For Agni Barkha), Nidhi (For Agni Barkha), and Mukesh Bawa (For Dakghar).

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Jammu Drama Festival 2012

Jammu drama fest opens with ATG's ‘Oma’
Dogri adaptation of ‘Othello’ entertains

Organized by Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Annual Drama Festival 2012, opened with Amateur Theatre Group's performance of Rajneesh Gupta's Dogri adaptation of William Shakespeare's classic drama 'Othello', at the Abhinav Theatre, here today.

Directed by Mushtak Kak, the play titled 'Oma', though retaining the main plot of Othello, was a clever collage of traditional and the popular which for its entertaining quality won the appreciation of the audience.

Today's Dogri version although retaining Othello's original structure-like the love angle between the beautiful girl and an ugly but honest, hard working young man and the villain who through his vile mechanizations succeeds in creating doubt about the fidelity of the young lady in the mind of her lover who ultimately kills her and later also ends his life-laced with colloquial as well as modern expressions came out as an independent production.

The fast pace of the unfolding event supported by competent acting and the well knit background music-a mix of catchy old and contemporary numbers engrossed as well as amused the spectators.

The minimal sets and effective light design also came out as strong points of the production.

The cast of the play included Sunil Sharma as Oma, Aparna Kapoor as Raani, Sandeep Verma as Fanna, Rahul Kumar as Kaku, Indu Kerni as Rajji, Mohit Mehra as Moolraj, Shabnam Dogra as Makhani, Mohit Chib as Desa Papa, Janak Khajuria as Sarpanch, Pooja Langeh as Laali, Vishal Mahajan as Bonsi. Other members of cast were Vimal Mehra, Sourav Verma and Deepak Singh Jamwal.

The background music was designed by Surinder Manhas and lights by Junaid Kak. Sandeep Verma was the assistant director.

Today's function was inaugurated by Nwang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and Culture while Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, was the guest of honour. Atal Dullo, Secretary Cultural Academy, Savita Bakshi, Additional Secretary, Sudhir Mahajan, Senior Drama Instructor, were also present on the occasion.

Tomorrow the Hindi play, 'Tees Din Sitamber Ke' by Lakshya-The Aim. will be staged at 5.30 pm.

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Balwant Thakur honoured at Madhya Pradesh

Natrang Director, Balwant Thakur was honoured here this evening at the Rabindra Bhawan, here by the Swaraj Bhawan', Ministry of Government of Madhya Pradesh for the outstanding performance of the Internationally acclaimed Dogri play 'Bawa Jitto' in the National Theatre Festival.

His innovative direction and highly creative design came in for appreciation from all quarters. The audience gave a standing ovation to the mesmerizing performance and the local media highlighted immensely, showering praises for this out of the world creation of a theatrical wonder.

Born in 1960, Balwant Thakur is one of the most creative theatre directors of the country who has given a new identity to Indian theatre with highly innovative theatre productions.

Decorated with the highest Indian honour in performing arts Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Direction in theatre, Balwant Thakur is credited for being the youngest theatre director of India who has participated over two hundred National Theatre Festivals as director, which is a record in the country.

He has also been honoured with the highest Indian honour in the field of culture with 'Sanskriti Award' by President of India. Known as a magic man of theatre, his outstanding visual poetics on stage like 'Ghumayee' 'Bawa Jitto' 'Suno Eh Kahani' 'Chauraha' and 'Mahabhoj' have vibrated the theatre scene of India. Credited for bringing theatre and culture of Jammu and Kashmir to the National and International limelight, he has been highly instrumental in creating a new cultural renaissance in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

With 5000 brilliant performances to his credit, Balwant Thakur is the first theatre director of the country who has been accredited by UNESCO.

He also served on the Boards of prestigious Institutions of the country including, Department of Culture, Govt. of India, Sangeet Natak Akademi, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, North Zone Cultural Centre, Council for Promotion of Urdu Language and as an expert for National School of Drama, Department of Culture, M.P., Department of Language and Culture, H.P. and Association of Indian Universities.

Recently he was honored with the Maharaja Ghulab Singh Memorial Award for the year 2011 for his outstanding contribution in the field of culture