MT News Service
Jammu, October 9:
Balwant Thakur the Cultural Diplomat of India to South Africa who is currently the Director of Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, Johannesburg while speaking in an International Webinar organised by Mahatma Gandhi Antrashtriya Hindi Vishavidyala (International Hindi University), Vardha said that it was theatre which transformed Mahatma Gandhi. Giving details Balwant Thakur said that in his book ‘My Experiments with Truth’ he has discussed an episode of his early school days when he had an occasion to witness a theatre play ‘Satyavadi Raja Harish Chandra’ which transformed his entire thinking process.
Inspired by the character of Harish Chandra enlivened by a theatrical performance, Gandhi Ji pledged to seek truth in life and work on its principles. Emphasising this he further added that theatre is one of the most effective mediums of human transformation and realization of its affectivity by Gandhi Ji is a great testimony of it.
While speaking on the relevance of Gandhi Ji’s experiments with truth, Balwant Thakur advocated that we all need to realize the immense power of theatre which has the magic of shaping nations and generations. He cited the examples of many who owe their crystallization of vision of life to theatre. If one cannot become a part of theatre as an actor/creator, one should not leave the occasion to be a good spectator of theatre.
In the developed world theatre is considered to be the most important part of school and higher education.
In some countries a hundred percent population makes it to the theatre and is considered as one of the most important aspects of life. Balwant Thakur further informed that while in South Africa where Gandhi Ji spent 21 years of prime life, he had the occasion to visit all the places where Gandhi Ji lived.
Inspired by his recent interactions with Great Gandhians of South Africa he is in the process of structuring a theatre play on Gandhi Ji.
The prime focus of the play will be the influence of theatre on the thinking process of Gandhi Ji. Balwant Thakur is of the firm belief that theatre is highly magical in transforming a personality and after watching Raja Harishchndra live on stage the impact of his character was so much on his life that his entire vision of life changed. This play will not only revolutionise the theatre as a movement in India and abroad but this unknown aspect of Gandhi Ji will also be known to people.