STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management Jammu hosted the acclaimed Hindi stage play “Aap Hamaare Hain Kaun”, written and directed by Padma Shri Balwant Thakur, at its campus in association with Natrang Jammu. The performance witnessed an enthusiastic response from students, faculty members, officers, staff, and their family members, reaffirming the institute’s commitment to holistic education through cultural engagement.
The event was graced by Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, along with Padma Shri Balwant Thakur. Also present were Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Dean (Academics), Cmdr. Kesavan Baskkaran, Chief Administrative Officer, faculty members, officers, staff, and students.
Aap Hamaare Hain Kaun powerfully addresses the challenges faced by the younger generation arising not from external pressures, but from expectations imposed by parents and immediate social surroundings. The play urges parents, educators, and guardians to reflect on materialism, consumerism, and unbridled ambition, serving both as a mirror to society and a compelling call for introspection and change.
Notably, the production has been selected for presentation at the world’s largest International Theatre Festival and will be staged at the LTG Auditorium, New Delhi, under the aegis of the National School of Drama, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Addressing the audience, Padma Shri Balwant Thakur expressed his delight at presenting the play at IIM Jammu and described the occasion as the beginning of renewed engagement with theatre.
He shared that Aap Hamaare Hain Kaun, written in 1994, has evolved into one of the longest-running children’s theatre productions in India, receiving wide critical acclaim, front-page media coverage, and multiple awards. He emphasized his vision of developing theatre for children and by children through a structured training methodology, highlighting discipline, ethical storytelling, and artistic integrity as essential elements of theatre practice. He also expressed gratitude to Prof. B. S. Sahay for his continued support of cultural initiatives.
In his address, Prof. B. S. Sahay congratulated the young performers and applauded their powerful performances. Reflecting on the play, he noted its continued relevance and observed that parental aspirations should not overshadow children’s individual dreams. He reaffirmed IIM Jammu’s commitment to fostering platforms that promote art, culture, and creativity alongside academic excellence.
The production was supported by music composed by Suraj Singh, rhythm support by Rakesh Kumar, production management by Neeraj Kant, and coordination by Pawan Verma, Kushal Bhat, and Kananpreet Kaur.
The event reinforced IIM Jammu’s vision of integrating performing arts into education, positioning the institute as a vibrant space for cultural dialogue and societal reflection.