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JAMMU: Students of the Design Your Degree (DYD) Programme at the University of Jammu presented a remarkable performance of renowned playwright Dr. Shankar Shesh’s celebrated theatre play “Are Mayavi Sarovar”, showcasing their artistic talent, creativity, and commitment to the performing arts. The production captivated the audience and highlighted the transformative role of theatre in holistic education.
The annual theatre presentation, an integral component of the Design Your Degree Programme, is conducted under the visionary guidance of Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice-Chairman, JK Higher Education Council, and Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu. Through such initiatives, students are provided opportunities to experience the transformative benefits of theatre, fostering confidence, teamwork, communication skills, and creative expression.
Expressing her appreciation after witnessing the performance, Prof. Alka Sharma, Director, School of Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SIIEDC), commended the students for their confidence and impressive stage presence. She also expressed gratitude to the Dr. Shankar Shesh Foundation and the Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu, for their valuable support in making the production a success.
Prof. Sadaf Shah, Course Mentor of the Design Your Degree Programme, appreciated the dedicated efforts of the students and presented a detailed overview of the production process. She highlighted the extensive preparation, rehearsals, and collaborative efforts involved in staging the play and emphasized the importance of theatre as a medium of experiential learning.
The production was directed by Sumeet Sharma, Drama Instructor, Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu, and a National Awardee for Theatre Direction. Under his expert guidance, the students effectively brought to life the play’s powerful themes of identity, social values, and human relationships.
Are Mayavi Sarovar is renowned for its unique blend of fantasy, humour, and social commentary. The play explores themes of gender identity, human relationships, and social values through the story of a king whose life undergoes a transformation after encountering a magical lake. The students skillfully portrayed the complex characters and underlying messages of the play, earning appreciation from the audience and faculty members alike.
The production reflected months of preparation, including script analysis, rehearsals, costume design, and stage management. The performance demonstrated not only artistic excellence but also the students’ ability to work collaboratively and creatively in a professional theatrical setting.
Faculty members and guests commended the cast and production team for their enthusiasm, discipline, and commitment to preserving and promoting Indian theatrical traditions. The event provided a valuable platform for students to develop confidence, communication skills, and artistic expression while engaging with a classic work of modern Hindi theatre.
The successful staging of Are Mayavi Sarovar stands as a testament to the University of Jammu’s commitment to holistic education and experiential learning. Such cultural initiatives continue to enrich campus life and encourage students to explore diverse forms of creative expression.
Among the faculty members from SIIEDC who witnessed the performance were Prof. K.S. Charak, Prof. Shallu Sehgal, Prof. Jatinder Manhas, Dr. Pallavi Sachdeva, Dr. Manish Kumar, and Dr. Sarika Verma.
The cast comprised Akhileshwar Singh Charak, Hiteshwari Sharma, Devanshi Sharma, Kashish Parihar, Anoushka Bali, Eva Sharma, Karanveer Singh, Aksamtej Singh, Jaiviraaj Singh, Krrish Sudan, Nihal Karalia, Diwas Gupta, and Divyam Khajuria.
Backstage management was handled by Neha Singh, Sunandani, Rahul Dev, Misha Parmar, and Manreet Kaur. Choreography was designed by Nitika Aggarwal and Sunny Mujju, while production support was provided by Pawan Verma, Avinash Lakhnotra, and Rohan Sharma. Make-up was done by Shammi Damir, and sound operations were managed by Kulbhushan Thakur and Arif Paul.