Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Apr 13: Staged by ALG (Assav Lassav Gindav) Cultural Society, the play in Kashmiri, ‘Armen Pather’, not only brought back to life the lost play from the repertoire of Kashmir folk theatre, but also emerged as a notable event in which the non-Bhand actors performed in a style of Bhand Pather, the well known folk theatre form of Kashmir, at the Government College for Women auditorium, here today.
Written by eminent playwright Padamshree Moti Lal Keemu and directed by Ravi Keemu, the plot of the play revolves around an old vegetable grower (arem) Lala Sofi and his wife Divech (armen) and their adopted daughter Piter Koor for whom they bring an alien young man Parzone through Subhan Sofi.
Lala Sofi is called for Begaar and vegetable growers decide to send Prazone instead of Lala Sofi. When Prazone returns after hard labor and travel, he narrates his experiences. Prazone halfheartedly learns the trade of growing vegetables. Many modern day problems erupt and with the unity of villagers all are overcome and the play ends with Piter Koorie’s marriage with Prazone.
In goes to the credit of director Ravi Keemu, who while successfully re-created spirit of folk theatre style with help of non-Bhand actors many of whom being members of migrant families have not witnessed a folk play. Full of humor and satire, the play effectively using elements of folk music along with poetry of Sufi and Bhakti poets like Krishan Joo Razdan, Nyama Sab, Shah Qalander and Ahmed Rah, brought on the stage the richness cultural legacy that informs the other wise rustic country life in Valley.
Today’s production-an outcome of two month long theatre workshop supported by Ministry of Culture, New Delhi-did succeed in connecting the new generations with folk tradition and cultural roots.
Manoj Bhat as Maskhar and Daziy Bazaz as Prazone gave impressive performances. Rising to the true persona of folk performers, the entire cast showed great control in singing while performing dance steps and delivering dialouges. Along with appropriate costumes, lights, live background music by the musicians on the stage and effective use of chorus emerged as mainstay of the production that was highly appreciated by the audience.
The members of the cast included Vinay Pandita, Rakesh Bhat, Pummy Raj Sharma, Chander Mohan Zutshi, Anku Raina, Ramesh Pandita, Arvind Koul, Vinay Suri, Attied Koul, Sheetal Raina, Neha Sahrma, Meenal Peer, Kusum Koul, Bharti Raina, and Priyanka Sehgal. Amma Kak was on Surnai while Gulam Qadir was on percussion. Make up was by Kamal Sahrma. The second performance e of ‘Armen Pather’ would be held tomorrow at 6 p.m.
Follow our WhatsApp channel