STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, felicitated Natrang Director Padamshree Balwant Thakur here at Kalidass Auditorium, Virsa Vihaar, Patiala for the magnificent performance of his Internationally acclaimed Dogri Play ‘Ghumayee’ in the Theatre Festival-2014. On behalf of North Zone Cultural Centre, the felicitations were done by D.P Singh, Commissioner of Income Tax in presence of Dr. R.S Gill, Director NZCC.
Decorated with highest honours of the country, Balwant Thakur is one of the most creative theatre directors who have given a new identity to Indian theatre with their highly innovative theatre productions. Conferred with the highest Indian honour in performing arts i.e, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for direction in theatre, Balwant Thakur is credited for being the youngest theatre director of India who has participated over two hundred fifty National Theatre Festivals as director, which is a record in the country. Credited for bringing Dogri theatre to the National and International limelight, he has been highly instrumental in creating a new cultural renaissance in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Recognising his outstanding contribution in Indian theatre, the Department of Culture, Govt. of India, awarded him the national senior fellowship for three years to do research on the performing modes of Jammu.
