Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 20: On his 221st birth anniversary, founder of Jammu and Kashmir State, Maharaja Gulab was reincarnated today by the young artists, who revisited the history associated with this great Dogra warrior on stage in a single stretch.
The mega theatrical show ‘Gulab Gatha’ was presented by Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Jammu, in association with Maharaja Gulab Singh Memorial Trust at jam packed General Zorawar Singh Auditorium of Jammu University, here this evening.
Dr Karan Singh, president of ICCR and scion of the erstwhile Dogra rulers, was the chief guest on the occasion wherein famous television and Bollywood star, Mohit Raina, who shot to fame world over as Lord Shiva in ‘Devon Ke Dev, Mahadev’ TV serial, was honoured with Maharaja Gulab Singh Memorial Award.
In the theatrical presentation, young artists beautifully demonstrated the life history of Gulab Singh and his rise from a soldier to Maharaja, who not only founded the State of Jammu and Kashmir but also extended its boundaries from Gilgit to Baltistan and North West Frontier to Afghanistan.
The mega show, directed by Balwant Thakur, was a blend of theatrical performance with symphony of music and lights revisiting the history of 17th Century and important events of the life of Maharaja Gulab Singh.
Featuring 70 artists and about 15 creative technicians, the mega theatrical production offered a highly innovative and artistic experience.
In his address, after conclusion of the show, Dr Karan Singh stressed the need for promoting composite culture of Jammu and Kashmir for unity and development of the State.
Recalling the great contribution of Maharaja Gulab Singh in extending borders of the State, he appreciated the theatrical performance on the life of the founder of Jammu and Kashmir.
While conferring Maharaja Gulab Singh Memorial Award to Mohit Raina, Dr Karan Singh said that honouring the young artist from Jammu was an attempt to give representation to youth in the mission launched by the Trust.
The award carries Rs 1 lakh and a citation plaque.
Expressing his pleasure on receiving the award, Mohit Raina said that he was indebted to his mother land Jammu where he studied upto college level at KV2 and then SPMR College of Commerce.
He also expressed his willingness to work in a Dogri film, if offered, despite being not affluent with the language.
On the occasion, Prof Zahur-ud-Din and Maj Gen Anoop Singh Jamwal threw light on the life history and great contributions of Maharaja Gulab Singh towards the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
MLC Rani Gargi Bloeria also delivered a brief speech during the porgramm, which was attended by Ajatshatru Singh, Yuvraj Vikramaditya Singh, Maj General Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, Swami Paul and a number of prominent personalities.
Ravi Kant Sharma compeered the programme.
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