MT News Service
Jammu, June 7:
APG Shimla University hosted eminent theatre director Balwant Thakur in their webinar on Indian Art Culture and Theatre under their series ‘Learn from leaders’. The vice chancellor of the university Dr. Ramesh Chauhan welcomed the participants whereas the programme was presided by prominent scholar and cultural personality of Himachal Pradesh S.N. Joshi (IAS Retd). The keynote address was given by Dr. Romesh Kumar Chaudhary the Pro-Chancellor of the University and the event was ably coordinated and conducted by Dr. Ashwani Sharma Bureau head Out Look Magazine. APG Shimla University is one of the top Universities of North India and has students from all over the country and abroad. Showcasing Balwant Thakur in their prestigious webinar was aimed at exposing the participants about the vision of art, culture and theatre of an Internationally acclaimed cultural personality who through his sheer focussed effort made impossible things a possibility in the true sense.
As per press statement issued to mercury times, in his address Balwant Thakur while narrating about his eventful journey dwelt in detail about the role of art and culture in shaping the civilizations. Being a cultural expert having travelled the majority of the world drew comparisons between India and the developed nations where art, culture, theatre and creative happenings are the most sought after activities of the society. Preservation and promotion of art and culture is the priority of the civil society and the governments in the world outside whereas in India it is opposite. We are at the verge of losing our cultural and linguistic identities and successive governments have contributed immensely to the furtherance of it’s neglect. On the occasion he complimented the entire Himachal population for always taking pride in being a ‘Himachali’. This thrust for cultural identity in the Himachal civil society will inspire many who believe in the fact that language and culture is the only identity of any community, region or country and it is the larger responsibility of every individual to contribute in the preservation and protection of such identities.
In the question answer session, majority of the participants desired Balwant Thakur to share his secret of success in his professional life. Fact remains that there are very few success stories in the field of art and culture and Balwant Thakur is one amongst the most professional successful cultural practitioners. He proved his metal both as a creative person and as a cultural administrator. Very humbly Balwant Thakur responded to the queries citing the encounters he had while maintaining the consistency of his passion for excellence in art work.