MT News Service
Jammu, December 23:
Balwant Thakur’s internationally acclaimed Dogri play ‘Ghumayee’ outshined here today at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu and enthralled the audience which applauded the brilliant performance of artists repeatedly. Presented by Natrang and organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in connection with the Dogri Manyata Diwas, this globally popular play is credited for bringing Dogri language and culture to International limelight.
Dogri play “GHUMAYEE”, which has already made a mark at the world theater scene is credited for being the first Indian play which made it to the Frankfurt International Theatre Festival (Germany) and World Experimental Theatre Festival, Moscow (Russia). It also has the distinction of having featured during the Commonwealth Games in the year 2010 8th Theatre Olympics in the year 2018 and Shreshtha Bharat 2019. Produced in the year 2000, this Dogri play has given a new intellectual identity to this part of the world. In past nineteen years, it has been staged in over 50 National and International theatre festivals and have won accolades all over.
First produced in the year 2000, the play is based on Dogri Folk Tale of a hilly village and opens with a ‘VIDAI’ scene after the solemnization of marriage and bride is being carried in a ‘Doli’ to her in-law’s place. As the tough climb begins, thirsty ‘Dulhan’ asks for water. Her request is laughed away and no heed is paid. As the track becomes strenuous, her thirst intensifies and repeated entreaties end up in assurance of water at next available source. A stage is reached when thirst becomes unbearable and (Doli is put down) journey is put to halt. All and one are requested to do the needful and arrange for water. In the quest a water source is sited but is miles deep down in a gorge, which is extremely difficult to reach. Repeated requests of bridegroom fail to evoke any response, as the job requires superhuman effort. The plight of ‘Dulhan’ prompts a young man to volunteer for the job. All present warn him of the probable consequences but he is undeterred. During the ensuing discussions, the groom in an insolent tone bets away his bride in lieu of water. Thus begins the struggle for water. The young man, putting his life in extreme danger, overcomes all hurdles and ultimately succeeds in bringing the water. As bride quenches her thirst, the young man falls dead, out of sheer exhaustion. In stunned atmosphere, ‘Baraties’ decide to continue with the journey but ‘Dulhan’ refuses to do so. She declares herself a widow and cries out a wail (Ghumayee) sanctifying the significance of human relationship over the most prized relationship of marriage bound by mere rituals.
Every creative department of the play as contributed tremendously for the super success of this play but the lead actors of the play who have performed record number of shows of this play repeatedly all over the country and abroad since last 19 years gave outstandingly remarkable performances and audiences had the rarest occasion to witness country’s most accomplished actors on stage. Out of world performance of Vikrant Sharma who played the lead role of ‘Paani Laane Waala’ left the ultimate impact of his versatility and command over acting. The matured and powerful acting of Anil Tickoo as ‘Dulha’ demonstrated his control over the art of his matured acting. Amongst senior actors who gave powerful performances included Neeraj Kant, Subash Jamwal, Sumeet Sharma and Suresh Kumar. Vrinda Sharma in her performance as ‘Dulhan’ was successful in justifying the challenging role. She was equally supported by Vanshika Gupta, Sanket Bhagat Sushant Singh, Vrinda Sharma, Meenakshi Bhagat, Vrinda Gujral and Shivam Singh. Others who supported the play through their notable performances included Sumit Raina, Mohit Sharma and Brijesh Avtar Sharma. The soulful music of the play was composed by Suraj Singh who also led the singing of the play and also gave an appreciable entry on stage as ‘Gujjar’. The lights of the play was designed and executed brilliantly by Pankaj Sharma. The audiography of the play was designed and executed by Mohd. Yaseen.
