JAMMU: Department of Students Welfare in collaboration with the Centre for Women’s Studies, University of Jammu hosted an outstanding performance of Natrang’s hard-hitting play ‘Naye Yug Ki Naari’ at Brig. Rajinder Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu. Prof. Anju Bhasin, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Jammu was the Chief Guest at the occasion who appreciated the performance for its content, form and amazing vibrant energy of the performers.
The play, which was performed in front of a packed house gathering and received standing ovation has been magnificently written and directed by Padmashri Balwant Thakur who is, besides being an eminent theatre personality, also an illustrious alumni of the University of Jammu.
In her welcome address, Prof. Monika Chadha, Chairperson Campus Cultural Committee informed about several new initiatives being introduced by the Department of Students Welfare to vivify the cultural and literary landscape of the University under the dynamic leadership of Prof. Umesh Rai, esteemed Vice Chancellor
The play 'Naye Yug Ki Naari' was produced by Natrang under an initiative aimed at popularising and propagating the art of theatre amongst youth. In this process, Natrang offered an intense theatre training programme to both the women colleges of the city and selected 30 girls were exposed to the various elementary aspects of theatre. Followed by the elementary training they were introduced to the production process of theatre in which the play 'Naye Yug Ki Naari' was produced under the direction and mentorship of Balwant Thakur.
Play 'Naye Yug Ki Naari' speaks loudly about the new-age women. Opening with a narrative full of depressing stories of the exploitation of women from birth to death, the play depicts the odyssey of women from patriarchal times-the harrowing experience of the times to her unwavering commitment to be a part of change and transformation.
Fact remains that there have been significant achievements in doing away gender inequality, the journey towards dismantling deeply ingrained patriarchy and achieving women empowerment in India in true sense remains arduous. This eyeopener play is set to shake the society and will prompt all to give women the overdue space for growth to make India the most developed nation of the world. The play conveys a very strong message of the women folk seeking mindset of the society.
Balwant Thakur who is known for devising innovative presentation styles, structured the play 'Naye Yug Ki Naari' in a chorus style. Interestingly in his new style of presentation all performers from beginning to end get the equal opportunity of performance. It is a prerequisite that all learn and prepare the entire script and perform different roles on rotation basis. Whatever may be the number on stage, they are trained in such a manner that even 10% of the participants can perform the entire play with similar effectivity.
This new innovation of Balwant Thakur is aimed at revolutionizing the theatre movement which suffers extensively when few amongst the team of performers refuse to turn up for the shows. Artists may come or go, this style of presentation will never allow the play to die and will always strengthen the slogan 'Show Must Go On'.
Prominent poet and composer Brij Mohan significantly collaborated this play musically and the same was supported by senior artist Veerji Sumbli in design and craft. Experienced Neeraj Kant ably assisted Balwant Thakur in mounting this vibrant production whereas Mohd. Yaseen was the coordinator. Others who assisted the shows included Aadesh Dhar and Kushal Bhat
The actors who received accolades, repeated thunderous applause and standing ovations included Pragi Sharma, Aradhana Soodan, Shalini Bhagat, Mahi Verma, Lakshita Devi, Ayushika Rajput, Meenu Sharma, Aakriti Jamwal, Isha Gupta, Harmandeep Kour, Prerna Sharma, Divyanshi Sharma, Kibriya Gohar, Geeta Thakur, Simran Rajput, Simran Bhagat, Palak Thappa, Pooja Thakur and Pratibha Verma.
