Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 23: Jhiri Mela was enlivened with the presentation of globally acclaimed Dogri play ‘Bawa Jitto’ which mesmerised thousands here at the main stage of Jhiri Mela-2018, consecutively for the second evening.
The mega presentation of Natrang Jammu is written by Late Prof Ram Nath Shastri and is innovatively devised, designed and creatively directed by Balwant Thakur. This mind-blowing presentation of Natrang magically transported along the thousands of the devotees and the pilgrims to a six hundred year old saga of supreme sacrifice of a farmer who gave his life in fight of justice and exploitation by the landlords.
The most noteworthy feature of the presentation was that it made the entire audience to relive a 15th century tale exactly at the same place where it happened over 600 years ago.
Welcoming the mammoth gathering at the main stage of Jhiri Mela, Natrang Director Balwant Thakur said that if such events are made a permanent feature and supported wholeheartedly, they will not only revive cultural and community life of the area but will also become the ultimate world cultural destination. “Nowhere in the world a theatre performance attracts over 50,000 audiences which happens here in the Jhiri Mela. There is a dire need to appreciate this rarest strength of the region and state is required to promote, project and own this ultimate power of the community initiative,” he said.
Natrang has staged over two hundred shows of the play Bawa Jitto all-over India and as of now this play has become the longest living contemporary theatre production of the country which has again given a new cultural identity to this region.
The most outstanding feature of the play was the performance by versatile actors on stage. The role of Bawa Jitto was played by Neeraj Kant who kept everyone spellbound while Anil Tickoo as Malli left the lasting impact on the audiences. Child artist Vrinda Gujral of ‘Sabse Bada Kalakaar’ fame won appreciation of all in the role of Bua Gauri and the same character was played by Saanvi Anand on the second day of the show series.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
