STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Globally acclaimed Dogri play ‘Bawa Jitto’ directed by Balwant Thakur enlivened the Aghar Jitto Mela-2017 with the performance of actors of Natrang.
Witnessed by thousands of the audiences, this only presentation of the play Bawa Jitto in Aghar Jitto Mela has enhanced the entire charm and attraction of this community festivity.
Ravinder Kumar, District Development Commissioner was the Chief Guest on the occasion whereas Mohit Raina Tehsildar, Katra coordinated the event.
The Chief Guest appreciated the efforts of Natrang and its Director Balwant Thakur in elevating the standards of Aghar Jitto Mela at par with national/international events.
The shows of the play Bawa Jitto were supported Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Katra and logistics support was provided by district administration, Reasi. Written by Prof. Ram Nath Shastri and innovatively conceptualised, designed and directed by Balwant Thakur, this culturally vibrant play magically transported along the thousands of the devotees and the pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi to a 15th century old saga of supreme sacrifice of a poor farmer who gave his life in fight of justice and exploitation by the landlords.
The most noteworthy feature of the presentation was that it made the audience to relive his mind-blowing tale exactly at the same place where it happened over 650 years ago.
Welcoming the guests, Balwant said that if such events are made a permanent feature, they will not only revive cultural life of the area but will also become the ultimate global cultural destination. Nowhere on this earth one can have the occasion to see something out of the world happening which transports people to a live happening of 15th century. This uniqueness of the event has attracted a scholar from George Town University USA to come all way to witness this rarest cultural happening of the world.
Amidst thunderous applauses she was felicitated on stage by Natrang Director Balwant Thakur. The visiting scholar who herself is a theatre activist while sharing her views with the audiences said that she was amazed to see something so outstandingly happening here. Had something similar happening in USA, they would have made that a world tourism attraction.
Others who gave magnificent performances included Abhi Bargotra, Ankush Lakhnotra, Brijesh Avtaar Sharma, Sachin Saini, Yash Manhas, Rahil Parvez, Moses Marton, Chatter Prakash Dogra, Aadesh Dhar, Akshit Kaul, Dewankshi Sabikhi, Ananya Verma, Deepali Sharma and Gauri Thakur.
The lights were designed and executed by Suraj Ganjoo, stage was management by Aarushi Thakur and sound was professionally audio graphed by Tilak Raj.
