Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 8: Balwant Thakur’s internationally acclaimed Dogri play ‘Ghumayee’- a magnificent production of Natrang Jammu, will feature in Theatre Olympics-2018.
Theatre Olympics are held once in every four years since the year 1993. Theatre Olympics was established in Delphi, Greece in 1993 and since then have been held in Greece, Japan, Russia, Turkey, South Korea, China and Poland. The 8th Theatre Olympics-2018 will be held in 15 cities of India. Theatre Olympics-2018 will have over 50 international participations. The presentation of Dogri play Ghumayee in Theatre Olympics is being seen as one of the major accomplishment of Dogri language and culture.
Conceived, designed, scripted and directed by Balwant Thakur, this play has already made a mark for being the first Indian play which featured in Frankfurt Theatre Festival, Germany in the year 2009. It also has the distinction of having featured during the Commonwealth Games in the year 2017. Produced in the year 2000, this Dogri play has given a new intellectual identity to this part of the world. In past 17years, it has been staged in over 50 National and International theatre festivals and has won accolades all over. According to Balwant Thakur, Natrang has plans to have its regular shows in Jammu and other parts of the State before the proud team leaves for Theatre Olympics.
“Ghumayee” is based on a Dogri folk tale sanctifying the significance of human relationship over the most prized relationship of marriage bound by mere rituals.
‘Ghumayee is a singing tradition of Dogras and is sung by the bride when she leaves her parents during marriage.
But what inspired Balwant Thakur most was that this highlighted the hollowness of marriage despite the rituals of bonding of two individuals through wedding traditions and rituals. And that the bride mustered enough courage to raise her voice against the casual attitude of her bridegroom who takes her for granted, after marriage. The theme has contemporary relevance all over the world especially when new millennium is focused on women.
Through this production an effort has been made to utilize best of the actors’ physical and vocal resources through a language of poetic images which could transcend across linguistic barriers. Rooted totally in the cultural soil of Jammu, the play aims at seeking universal relevance and acceptance.
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