Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Apr 30: Organized by J&K Cultural Academy, the seven-day long ‘Tagore Theatre Festival’, concluded with dramatized Hindi version of Tagore’s famous story Kabuliwala, by Theatre Mitra, at auditorium of Government Women College, Gandhi Nagar, here today.
Adapted by Rajneesh Gupta, designed and directed by Sanjay Kapil, the play ‘Kabuliwala’ was the heart warming story of a Pathan from Kabul, who comes to Calcutta to earn money and befriends four-year-old Mini from a middle class family since she reminds him of his own daughter back home.
The Pathan decides to go back home after collecting his dues from a man who has bought a shawl from him. When he asks for his money, the man abuses the Pathan, who feeling angry and insulted, takes out a knife and kills him accidentally and is imprisoned for 10 years. On his release, he goes to see Mini, but the now grown-up girl has forgotten him. Stunned, he realizes his own daughter too may have forgotten him by now. He longs to go there but has no money. Eventually, helped with cash by Mini’s father, he leaves for Afghanistan in the hope of being reunited with his daughter.
Today’s production design with suggestive window and the street alluded through minimum use of sets, succeeded in creating the ambience of a middle class home of a writer. Ajay Kohli helped by his own bulky countenance was affective in portrayal of the huge but tender ‘Kabuliwala’. He also successfully maintained the Pathani accent throughout the play.
Chander Sharma as writer with passionate heart also gave a good performance. Shagun Kapil as Mini won the hearts of audience for enacting the role of an innocent and curious child. Other members of the cast included Litika as Razia as Kabuliwala’s daughter, Sudesh Kumar as policeman, Sanjay Kapil as Das Uncle.
The background music by Surinder Manhas and songs sung by Chander Sharma supported the emotive import of the scenes. The lights were handled competently by Aditya Bhanu, costumes by Shagun Kapil and make-up by Shiv Dev Singh.
Dr Sudhir Mahajan, Senior Instructor Drama, the overall in-charge of festival, thanked the audience on behalf of the Academy. He also thanked Prof Nalini Kohli, Principal, Government Women College, Gandhi Nagar, for full cooperation and support.
(PIX- A scene from Hindi adaptation of Tagore’s ‘Kabuliwala’, staged by Theatre Mitra on Monday)
Follow our WhatsApp channel