Rajeshwar Singh Raju

On this auspicious day, while congratulating all theatre activists and theatre goers I would like to throw light on present scenario of theatre activities in Jammu region. But before that let me admit that this day is very important not only from art point of view but for very significant role that theatre has played in shaping our society worth living.
Oscar Wilde, an eminent Irish poet and one of the most popular playwrights says, “I regard theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being.”
Theatre has been in existence since long. If we talk of history of theatre, it can be traced way back to 6th century BC where ancient Greeks were first to present dramatic presentations. It is pertinent to mention here that Greek Theatre still exists and almost all prolific theatre actors have started their acting career from Greek form of Theatre.
Famous American actress and acting teacher Stella Adler says, “The word theatre comes from Greece. It means seeking place. It is the place people come to see the truth about life and the social situation. The theatre is a spiritual and social x-ray of its time.”
It is a fact and that’s why theatre is regarded as the most potent form of expression and impact of theatre on masses is undoubtedly very productive. It has played a pivotal role in revolutions across the world and ‘Street Theatre’, a form of protest theatre was once and is still an important tool against the establishment because of its everlasting impact.
In our beloved nation India, the earliest form of theatre was Sanskrit theatre. It is thought that it emerged between 15th century BC and Ist century and flourished between 1st century and 10th century. It was relatively peace period in this part of the world and hundreds of plays were written during this period. Sanskrit plays became immensely popular during those days and still hold their presence as the all-time classics. Vedic Texts such as Rigveda provides evidences of plays enacted during ‘YAJNA’ ceremonies. However Modern Theatre developed during Colonial rule under British Empire from 19th century until 20th century.

World Theatre Day

In context of Jammu province, theatre has its roots since long. Initially, it was Ramleela that provided platform to aspiring performers and almost all established actors of the region have groomed from the epic Ramayana performed in Ramleela, Then a few enthusiasts started productions and Gulab Bhawan became quite famous for theatre activities before all focus shifted to Abhinav Theatre. Now we have quite a few good theatres in the form of Zorawar Singh Auditorium, Teachers’ Bhawan, Police Auditorium etc. which are of course very costly that local theatre groups can’t afford at their own unless being sponsored.
Although a good auditorium is the need for a theatre production but the real talents prove their mettle in nominal facilities also. Sarpanch, a dogri play written by Pt, Dinu Bhai Pant and performed by the stalwarts like Padamshri Ram Nath Shastri in the villages as well as at parade ground Jammu with no facilities at all has been a mile stone as far as theatre movement in Jammu is concerned. In my opinion, what you need for theatre production is to what extent you are innovative, that’s why theatre is called a never ending experience.
There is no limit for creativity and no one claim that it’s the peak and no destination thereafter. It is a continuous process and performance within limitations opens new vistas to explore. If you get facilities, you go for what you conceive and are in a position to realize it on stage. But if you are deprived of facilities what you aspire for, then undoubtedly your conception takes you to another level. In both cases, you exploit your potential much to the satisfaction of your basic instinct. The real talents take advantage of the time and flourish with their innovations.
When we talk of theatre at par with national level then undoubtedly Balwant Thakur, Mushtaq Kak and Deepak Kumar have been dominating since long. Of course Kavi Rattan has always earned respect from theatre activists and theater goers for his inspiring productions that formed the base for others to try their potential in theatre. These stalwarts have proved their worth as outstanding talents in theatre but the movement means to move on with others joining the league. It has been the law of nature that new ones replace the older ones. In that case a question arises, whether the young theatre activists have the potential to enter into the shoes of their mentors, the senior lot?
In that case, it may be said that there are certain prospects like Abhishek Bharti, Ravinder Sharma, Sumeet Sharma, Rajneesh Gupta, Shashi Bhushan, Vijay Goswami etc who have the talent but till date their productions have not been reckoned among the best productions from Jammu region that may mark their impact to such an extent so as to place them in the everlasting memories of theatre lovers. Still ‘Thank You Mr. Gelard’, ‘Jasma Oden’, ‘ Jaloos’, ‘Bawa Jitto’, Mahabhoj’, ‘Ghumayee’, ‘Aale’, ‘Lekha Bahi da’, ‘Rakt Beej’, ‘Devyani’, ‘Andha Yug’, ‘Marekhey’ etc have dominance on others and lead the race for ever remembered productions despite lapse of considerable time. Perhaps during those days theatre activists were obsessive for their passion that has transformed into mere materialistic with the passage of time. The reason is quite obvious, those were originals in making and have no shadow of plays being performed in other parts of India that exist in digital forms on different platforms of social media these days.
In our UT, the only platform for theater activities is the Annual Drama Festival being organized at District levels by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. The theatre groups except Natrang that works as a professional theatre group with continuous theatre activities including weekly theatre running for so many years now; all other groups are amateur theatre groups. Maximum of these groups mushroom only during Annual Drama Festivals and vanish from scene after annual participation. Can Theatre Movement survive with this casual approach of theatre activists?
No. But theatre activists can’t be blamed for it. They don’t have avenues to showcase their potential and contribute for theatre movement on regular basis. Here theatre can survive only with sponsorship from different organizations and that is missing badly. It is another point that efforts should be made to perform with minimum production cost but packed with all creativity. Theatre needs such activists.
A major concern that needs to be addressed by all theatre activists is that the Regional Theatre can survive only if regional culture and traditions form the focal point of their productions. Every time, I do plead that if the theatre activists have to evolve and get recognized at national and international level, then it is possible only if their productions are based upon their own folk traditions, culture and heritage. Whereas as far as the trend goes, under the influence of well acclaimed theatre plays having cast their impression globally, our local theatre directors are lured to perform those plays for local audience without thinking of the back drop of those plays that becomes mere reflection of already performed plays. To what extent you may put in your creative input may raise the eyebrows, but the fact remains that until you are so much skilled and talented you can’t change the craft entirely. Then why to stick to such productions for which you put in your best and lack originality?
Our audience should be served our contents. The problems and the traditions of other regions and nations have nothing to do with us. Moreover, as theatre is a potent form of expression, it becomes our moral responsibility to give exposure to our cultural traditions and highlight the problems faced by locals which will have everlasting impression on the audience. Local connection is the root of success.
It is a good sign that new theatre directors are good in creativity but they should be inspired to work on their regional plays and make use of regional folk, traditions and culture in their presentations. I wish to repeat numerous times that as a creative person one is under a moral obligation to highlight own cultural traditions and mother tongue. If not you, who else will take care of our cultural belongings? We are bound to perform our duties and should perform with a bang. We should never detach from our roots. Rather a sense of realization will serve the cause and help theatre activists to earn name and fame in a better way. It will surely help the younger lot to come out of the shadow of seniors who have dominated regional theatre for a long time now. Mark these words_ ‘Originality immortalizes Innovators’.
If we cast a look on present day theatre in Jammu region, then it needs to be added here that it has been badly hit by Covid19 pandemic like other parts of world. Although during the corona virus a couple of volunteers working with different theatre groups organized online one act plays competitions to maintain somewhat pace of theatre activities during that crisis also, but it was only individual efforts. The concept was nice but was not followed by others. A bit of effort and technical knowledge would have served for praiseworthy outcome. The pandemic taught us to go digital and explore new platforms online. Not necessarily the theatre productions, but group discussions, symposiums and seminars on theatre may also serve the purpose. It should be explored.
However as the mankind is blessed with some improvement from the menace of pandemic now, one may hope for emergence of theatre activities in temple city again. Cultural Academy and other organizations like Tourism Department etc should come ahead and sponsor different theatre groups to perform plays revolving around own culture and traditions. These performances should be in regional languages, most preferably in Dogri language which is the mother tongue of Dogras, the inhabitants of this pious land Duggar Pradesh.
After abrogation of article 370, the artist fraternity had hoped for some positive outcome that is still in waiting. Let this wait end soon to end the miseries of artists and theatre activists get more and more platforms and opportunities to perform not only to quench their thirst for art but also serve the society in a better way.
Let’ World Theatre Day’ bring better future prospects for all associated with theatre whether as the theatre activists or the theatre lovers, society and mankind.
What others say
“Modern theatre history of Jammu is not more than 50 years old. In these fifty years, Jammu theatre has not produced even good directors, playwrights and actors / actresses but theatre activists also. Now, theatre has also entered in schools, colleges and the universities ,we have many trained and experienced persons having professional degrees ,but the tragedy of time is after having training and education in theatre , still they are facing the survival problems which is not same with the other technical courses taught in the universities.
I am still unable to understand why the Govt. of India and the UT as well have some policies to introduce theatre in educational institutions. Still it is considered to be an extra activity while in every reputed educational institution, Music and dance has been given its due space to enrich them. Why step motherly treatment with theatre? This problem will remain serious unless it is resolved.”
Sudhir Mahajan, an eminent Theatre Director and Actor
“Theatre in Jammu has always been vibrant and impactful because of the sincere efforts of the ardent theatre practitioners. Jammu has seen theatre of the world and the world has seen theatre of Jammu and both have been enriched and stimulated by this meaningful exchange which is no less than a cultural renaissance. Despite being a vulnerable region, which has seen several turbulences, the theatre of Jammu has remained constant and persistent and has proved its mettle at national and international arena. The only substantial hindrance was because of Covid-19 crises, which not only affected art and culture but almost every aspect of humanity. But once again, the theatre brigade of this region is reverberated to quench its creative thrust and make a considerable come-back to refine the society with creative endeavours.”
Sumeet Sharma, young Theatre Actor and Director
“At present theatre in Jammu is flourishing like sermon. Annual Theatre Festival conducted by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages in Jammu is unique in its form and presentation as it gives a chance to amateur groups to showcase their hidden talents and honour them with suitable awards and certificates. New faces have been appearing on stage and it is a wonder to view their acting skills. Still it is a pity that no academic course in drama is available in the educational institutions of Jammu due to which our deserving candidates have less chances of employment in this field.”
Rajneesh Gupta, an eminent Theatre Director & Playwright

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