Lalit Gupta
![A scene from the play.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/page5-73-300x169.jpg)
JAMMU, Feb 19: Organized by Amateur Theatre Group the seven-day Abhinavagupta Natyamahostav concluded with Qissa Khawani- a collage of short plays, at the Abhinav Theatre, here today.
Today’s presentation that comprised of dramatized performances based on well known stories of famous writers began with Hardeep Singh Deep’s Punjabi story ‘Kachchi Kandh’. The story which revisits the instinctual, unconditional and forever love of a mother for her child was beautifully enacted in his solo performance by Deepak Virdi.
One of the rare solo performances by local stage actors in recent times, today’s one-man show brought forth the magic of seeing a single actor convey the emotions and journeys of multiple characters on one stage. Deepak Virdi’s exhibition of great mental and physical focus in frequent transitions from one character to another was highly appreciated by the audience.
The second presentation based on well known writer Khalid Husain’s short story ‘Pani Ki Lakeerein which is a sensitive take on how aftermath of the Partition of state in two halves, the artificial border has not only divided the land but the people also. The plot revolves around two Pakistani children who have accidentally crossed the border and are branded as spies. But the Indian Security force officer, sees the innocence and truth of children, offers them food and arranges to send them back. The actors were Sourav Verma, Mohit Mehra, Vivek Sangotra, Ankit Sharma and Tovin Kumar
Mushtaq Kak the director of today’s plays, performed the last presentation titled ‘Uncle Sam Ke Naam’, which was a life sketch of Sadat Hassan Manto, the avant-garde Urdu writer who wrote some of the greatest short stories in Urdu, especially about the Partition of India.