Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: Natrang presented a scintillating mega theatre and dance show at Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) here.
The show was hosted by the Student Affairs Department, IIT Jammu under the series ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. Devised, designed and directed by Padamshri Balwant Thakur, the show aimed at promoting national integration through celebrating the vibrant cultural diversity of India. Among the prominent personalities who graced this auspicious occasion included Sartaj Ul Hasan, Dean Student Affairs, Arvind Kumar Associate Dean Student Affairs, and R.P. Prajapat Assistant Registrar Student Affairs.
The programme opened with a musical theatre act showcasing the divine battle between Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and Bhairav Nath. A Tantrik named Bhairav who was a disciple of Guru Gorakhnath, is believed to grow arrogant due to his Siddhis of Tantras, and chased Mata Vaishnodevi for malicious purpose. The Devi reached near a cave in the hill, she called up Shri Hanuman and told him that “I would do penance in this cave for nine months, till then you should not allow Bhairav Nath to enter the cave.
“Despite this, arrogant Bhairav made unsuccessful attempts to enter the cave and disturb Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. In a brief fight with Hanuman Ji, he was beheaded by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi before he could cause any harm to anyone. This theatrical act was written and directed by Balwant Thakur and assisted by Neeraj Kant.
This electrifying theatrical event was followed by ten diverse dance presentations signifying the vibrant cultural diversity of Jammu & Kashmir. Entitled ‘Colors of Jammu & Kashmir’- this unique cultural album of Jammu & Kashmir showcased the variegated variety of different colors, rhythms, design patterns, and diverse artistic expressions which truly portrayed the essence of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.’ The dances were choreographed by Sunny Mujju and the show was coordinated by Kurpa Bawane and Arayan Singh. Devisha Patel conducted the event with professional ease. The lights were designed and executed by Shivam Singh who was assisted by Adesh Dhar. Mohd Yaseen scored the music of this mega event
The artists of Natrang who participated in this mega show included Meenakshi Bhagat, Kananpreet Kaur. Palshin Dutta, Sakshi Gupta, Suneha Angural, Suhani Bhasin Suhan, Aradhana Soodan, Shruti Kumari, Mehak Chib, Manvi Devi, Priyal Ashok Gupta, Isha Sharma, Muskaan Thakur, Neeraj Kant, Sunny Mujju, Vishal Sharma, Arun Dev Verma, Arun Sharma, Sahil Narwalia, Sanket, Vansh Pandotra, Kartik Kumar, Adaksh Bagal, and Aryan Sharma.