Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Feb 3: Richness and vibrancy of theater practice in Jammu came alive, here today afternoon, with impressive reading of Rajneesh Gupta’s play, Jashan-e-Zindagi in Hindustani, by veteran actor and Radio voice Prof. Rita Jatinder and Rajesh Raina, at the K L Saigal Hall.
The play’s theme highlighting issue of fast decreasing reverence and respect for older people in families, struck the chord with the audience who immensely enjoyed and appreciated the masterly portrayal of two lonely elders by the actors.
In a theatrical experience that was a kind of mix of Radio play and live performance, Rajesh Raina and Rita Jatinder with the sheer magic of voice modulation effectively brought forth the loneliness of elderly man and woman who while sitting in a public park find solace in each other’s company and in a optimistic turn of events decide to spend rest of their lives together.
Organized by Samooh Theatre, the event presided by Shantmanu, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, was also marked by the felicitation of Makhan Lal Saraf, one of the senior most theater personalities of the State. Dr Sudhir Mahajan, founder of Samooh Theatre, highlighted the matchless contribution of Makhan Lal Saraf, a self taught actor, drama producer, director, A-grade radio artiste, television actor, empanelled producer (PBBCI), outside director (DDK Srinagar) and popular playwright who has to his credit dozens of plays, documentaries, tele-films, besides being an author of two books on dramatics one of which is in the syllabus of Kashmiri department, University of Kashmir, Srinagar.
In his address, Shantmanu, thanked the organizers for hosting such an event to honour the significant contributions of the Makhan Lal Saraf to the field of drama. He also praised the actors for the topnotch quality of their performance which made him feel as if he was watching Radio’s popular program ‘Hawa Mahal’. The chief guest of the function, Arvinder Singh Amn, Additional Secretary J&K Cultural Academy, speaking on the occasion appreciated the memorable performance that was socially relevant and topical.
The programme ended with presentation of songs by Deepak Jalai and younger group of artists.
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