Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Apr 2: While BJP MLC Surinder Ambardar called from the stage of Abhinav Theatre for setting of a truth commission to thread bare the facts of migration of Kashmiri Pandits from Kashmir, Rakesh Roshan Bhat’s Hindi play ‘Ateet Ke Sakshi’ presented on the same stage clearly reiterated that key to returning back of the migrant Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir Valley lies in age-old pluralistic ethos of Kashmiriyat.
Performed by Vomedh Rangmanch and Laksha the Aim, here today, the Hindi play ‘Ateet Ke Sakshi’ came out as a balanced narrative which focused upon the age-old cultural ethos of pluralism wherein Kashmiri Hindus and Muslims have been living in perfect harmony and amity.
Written by Rakesh Roshan Bhat and directed by Rohit Bhat, the play steering clear of xenophobia, revolved around one Gasha Ji, a migrant Kashmir Pandit of senior years, who has a strong yearning to go back to his ancestral temple in the Valley to renovate it and spend his final days there.
His Muslim friend Gafoor who has been safeguarding the temple in Gasha ji’s absence, is going for Haj pilgrimage. This makes Gasha ji to request Ravi, his young son to accompany him to their ancestral temple. Ravi refuses out rightly, saying since he has been brought up as a migrant in Jammu and unlike his father has no such bond with Kashmir. Gasha ji dies without fulfilling his wish.
Gafoor’s son Manzoor visits Ravi at Jammu. The exchange between them removes the layers of misunderstanding and accusative posturing and leaves Manzoor as a transformed person. When Ravi is found dead in front of his ancestral temple, Manzoor vows to fulfill the last wish of Gasha ji and his son.
Today’s performance witnessed by full house audience comprising of Kashmiri Pandit community leaders, intellectuals and families was marked by a kind of realism that stirred the emotion of the audience.
Arvin Tickoo as Ravi was impressive for the way in which he mirrored the agony of up- rootedness in his steady delivery of dialogues. Captain Maharaj as Gasha ji successfully projected the longing for his homeland and firm faith in Muslim friend. Others who also gave good performances included Jatinder Joshi as as Sadaullah Baksh, Sunny Mujoo as Manzoor and Rakesh Tickoo as Gafoor Khan (on phone). The members of the chorus were Rahul Kilam, Daizy Bazaz, Rakesh Tickoo, Jatinder Raina, Neeraj Magotra, Shikha Peer, Balbir Kumar, Paras Charangoo, Rahul Pandita and Rajni Bhatt.
The set design of the dilapidated temple by Ravi Ji Sumbli’s having a clear stamp of his artistic imagination and skill was well appreciated. Today’s programme was ably conducted by theatre and TV actor Kusam Tickoo.
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