Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Apr 18: Natraj Natya Kunj Cultural Society, Jammu, today preformed its highly acclaimed multilingual play “The Last Colony” in Matrika Auditorium here at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU).
Written by Kumar A ‘Bharti’ and directed by Abhishek Bharti, this experimental play is a result of 2-months long physical theatre workshop which was conducted by Abhishek Bharti. The play emphasizes on the fact that social and intimate violence by individual or group perpetrators are not the only oppressors of women.
Obviously, the script was adapted from true events which were infectiously lapped up by the global media. The growing violence and callous attitude towards women within the peripherals of a male-dominated society and its regressive patriarchal psyche have, as if, assumed an endemic proportion without an element of cure. However, the profoundly thought-provoking drama with a serious message entwined to it counters this very apathy of State administration, law and order, policing system and the general sense of social ethics.
‘The Last Colony’ echoes the plight of today’s women and their constant struggle, the language of the drama ranged from Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, Dogri dialogues, heightened with an effective emotional plane and powerful expressions. The director used the challenging theatrical strategies taking it to a different sphere altogether, used chorus as a backdrop, prop or setting to support the central subject and interaction of actors with audience.
Through the innovations in the play and turning women into a unified group voicing their solidarity against patriarchy made the play more appealing. Bringing the corrosion of human culture under the focus of spotlight, the director emphatically bolstered the burning issue through an aesthetic collage of choreographed movements, stylized stances and dance postures.
Those who acted in the play include Aaditya Bharti, Manik Sharma, Kannav Sharma, Amandeep Sharma, Lalit Sharma, Vishal Bhat, Karan Mehra, Vishal Pandita, Safir Sabah, Surbhi Balgotra, Neha Bhat, Shubhangi Dhamir, Dipshi Mahajan,Niharika Sakshi.
Back stage team included assistant director Aaditya Bharti and choreographer, Romit Sawhney. The Set was designed by Niharika Sakshi, Karan Mehra, Vishal Pandita, Dipshi Mahajan, Make Up by Safir Sabah and Dipshi Mahajan, Costumes were designed by Sonia Dubey, Music and Design by Abhishek Bharti while lights were designed by Amandeep Sharma and Akshay Razdan.
Follow our WhatsApp channel