MT News Service
Jammu, June 19:
‘Young Voices of Theatre’, a unique National Theatre Talk Show by Natrang featured Dr. Himanshu Dwivedi who is Assistant Professor and HOD in the Department of Drama and Theatre in Raja Mansingh Tomar Music and Arts University, Gwalior, Madya Pradesh today, he shared his inspirational views with the global audience at the Facebook page of Natrang Jammu. Director Natrang, Balwant Thakur informed that this distinctive talk show features highly accomplished young voices of Indian theatre who have earned respectability for their outstanding work. He shared that this talk show has become a much sought after theatre happening of the country because of its content and inspirational views of the guest speakers, he also complimented them for their praiseworthy work.
In a statement issued to mercury times, Dr. Himanshu completed his Masters in Theatre from Punjab University, Chandigarh and was decorated with two Gold Medals during the course and qualified UGC NET consecutively three times in Drama and Theatre stream. He has acted in more than 100 plays and directed more than 40 plays, which were performed in different parts of the country for more than 200 times. Dr. Himanshu Dwivedi is also an author of the book ‘Bundelkhand ki Prasthbhoomi Mein’ for which he was awarded with many rewards including ‘Inlaks Theatre Award’. Editor of magazine ‘Kala Swarang’, Dr. Dwivedi is the first PhD in ‘Swang’, a Bundeli Folk Theatre and has to his credit more than 35 research papers published in National and International journals. Dr. Himanshu Dwivedi had worked with more than 100 eminent theatre personalities like Prof. G. Kumar Verma, Padmashri Neelam Mansingh Chaudhary, G.S. Channi, Basant Nirgun, Niranjan Goswami, Alakhnandan, Bharat Ratna Bhargava, Rani Balveer Kaur, Prof. Radha Vallabh Tripathi, Dr. Kamal Vashist, Devendra Raj Ankur, Pandit Ram Sahay Pandey, Dr. Lalit Mohan and Dr. Kapil Tiwari etc. For his contribution in the field of theatre, Dr. Himanshu Dwivedi has been honoured with Rashtriya Kala Samman, Shikshak Samman, Bundeli Sahitya aur Sanskriti Samman, Natya Kala Ratna Award, Excellent Teacher Award and many more. Dr. Himanshu Dwivedi has conducted almost 250 theatre workshops and many National and International level events in different parts of the country. Dr. Himanshu Dwivedi established Bundelkhand Natya Kendra in Jhansi for the preservation and development of Bundeli Folk Theatre, Swang. He has authored a book for UGC/NET aspirants which is India’s first book in this context. He has also adapted a lot of meaningful work. In an engaging conversation with Nartang’s senior artist Neeraj Kant, Dr. Himanshu narrated his eventful journey of theatre. Even before getting academically trained in theatre, Dr. Himanshu gathered substantial experience of theatre and aspired to become a successful drama teacher so that he may kindle many minds with the light of theatre. He has created an equipped studio theatre in Jhansi where he along with his team and supporters, works on several culturally relevant projects. He has worked extensively with tribal girls and has created authentic presentations. To give a cultural boost to the region, he had initiated Jhansi Rang Mahotsava which was very warmly received. Speaking about Natyashastra, he proudly asserts that this ancient Indian scripture assimilates all arts in it. It is a detailed philosophy of life which speaks about all the ingredients of theatre which is an unmatched accomplishment. Having done tremendous work/research on folk/regional arts, he spoke about ‘Bundeli Swang’ which is dance based and also provided its comparative analysis with ‘Haryana Swang’ which is acting based, mentioning it as an improvised form which carries contemporary satire. Speaking about theatre training programmes at University level, he asserts that theatre training still needs to be developed in its requisite form in the university system. Speaking about the present time of corona crisis, he suggests that it is the time for self-analysis, we shall devise the means that when it is over, theatre becomes a public-supported activity rather than seeking government support. He also advises that during this time of crisis, a lot of valuable material has been made available on the internet and we shall go through that for self-enrichment. For young aspirants, he suggests that there are a lot of opportunities available for them, all they need to do is to manage themselves else they may get distracted.
Natrang’s dedicated team which is managing this National event includes Neeraj Kant, Anil Tickoo, Sumeet Sharma, Sanjeev Gupta, Vikrant Sharma, Mohd Yaseen, Brijesh Avtar Sharma, Gauri Thakur and Chander Shekhar. Alumni of National School of Drama and Department of Indian Theatre, Sunil Soni would be featured in this talk show on 20th of June, 2021.