Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 10: The dramatic representation of Munshi Prem Chand’s well known and widely read story ‘Idgah’, by inmates of Bal Niketan brought on stage the moving saga of love and positive human emotions, at the Brigadier Rajinder Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu (JU), here today.
Presented by Anamika Arts, Rajneesh Gupta’s Urdu adaptation, directed by Lakshmi Tagotra and Deepak Virdi, the play set in bygone era, revolves around an orphaned child Hamid and Ameena, his grandmother. On the day of Id, Hamid along with his friends goes to the village fair with paltry sum of three paisa as ‘idi’ given to him by her poor grandmother. While other children not only enjoy the games and the toys which they have bought and even show off their purchases, Hamid chooses to buy a ‘chimta’- pair of tongs for his grandmother.
After coming back home he gives the tongs to his grandmother who scolds him for not finding any better thing to buy from his Idi (three paisa). But when he tells that he bought the tongs for her as that would save her fingers from getting burnt she breaks down.
Today’s production which reiterated the magic of Munshi Prem Chand’s realistic portrayal of human love that touches the elements in one’s soul, was a joint venture of Bal Niketan, Ved Mandir, Youth Welfare Department of JU, had evolved after one -month workshop held at Ved Mandir by Anamika Arts for the inmates of Bal Niketan.
Other than Lakshmi Tagotra, the senior television actor who admirably enacted various female roles including that of grandmother, all the actors who were the inmates of Bal Niketan gave a good performance. They were Gaurav Sharma, Tarun Sharma, Rajat Magotra, Hakikat, Onkar, Kritik Magotra and Ravinder. The background music designed by Surinder Manhas was one of the attractions of the play while make- up was by Shammi Dhamir.
Vice Chancellor of JU, Prof M P S Ishar, the chief guest at the occasion appreciated he performance and congratulated Anamika Arts for their efforts. Prominent amongst the audience included Prof Jaikumar, Jasbir Singh, Prof Shailendra Singh Jamwal, functionaries for Bal Niketan, and members of civil society.
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