Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Dec 19: Day four of the ongoing Annual Drama Festival was marked by an engaging performance of Kashmiri play ‘Chopayer Yee Gash’, witnessed by a jam-packed audience at the Abhinav Theatre, here today.
Presented under the banner of Vomedh Rangmanch, the play written by Rakesh Roshan Bhat and directed by Rakesh Bhat, emerged as a satirical take on the current problems faced by the Kashmir Pandits who after migration having lost age-old moorings are trying to find their place in new socio-cultural milieus.
The plot of the play revolves around three generations and each despite financial security face differently, issues ranging from identity crises in terms of the disconnect with language, loss of traditional values, as well as the demands of new ways of life which are affecting relationships amongst family members.
Yamraj, the god of death, comes to earth to take away the soul of one Veerji. Finding three persons with the same name but belonging to different generations, he decides to take the one who is himself willing to go. After watching everyday lives of three characters, he feels pity as all of them are so fed up that they prey to taken away from the world. The Yamraj finds a solution and the play ends on a hopeful note.
Today’s presentation mix of melodrama and realism highly entertained the audience who enjoyed the showcasing of the traditional lifestyle of KPs in terms of attire, settings, and enactment of the true to the life conflict amongst the generation which was very well brought out in idiomatic dialogues full of fun and satire.
All members of the cast gave good performances. The character played were Kusum Dhar as Roopwati/Rantas, Jai Krishan Bali as Sadhu, Daizy Bazaz as Daizy, Anil Chingari as Yamraj, Arvin Tickoo as Veerji Wanchoo, Bharti Koul as Mother of Veerji 1, Jatinder Joshi as Veerji 2, Neeraj Mangotra as Seth ji, Rahul Pandita as Sahib ji, Neha Bhat as Daughter, Vinay Pandita as Veerji Wanchoo 3, Sanjani Tukra as Sunita and Kanwal Peshin as Shubanji.
The sets designed by Virji Sumbly, music by Kuldeep Sudeshi, lights by Pankaj, costumes by Anjana Raina, make up by Shammi and lyrics by Moti Lal Saki.
Tomorrow Nav Durga Kala Manch will stage Hindustani play Chupkar, written by Dilshad and directed by Aditya Bhanu.
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