Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 25: Natrang’s globally acclaimed Dogri play ‘Ghumayee’, written and directed by Balwant Thakur, was featured today in Amravati National Theatre Festival, held in Vijaywada, Andra Pradesh.
Organized by Department of Tourism, Government of Andra Pradesh ‘Amravati National Theatre Festival’ witnessed the first ever theatre performance from the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
Natrang’s ‘Ghumayee’ has already brought laurels and acclaim from all over the world for it’s highly innovative style of presentation, which is deeply rooted in the cultural soil of duggarland. Based on Dogri folk tale of Jammu hills, play Ghumayee opens with a ‘Vidai’ scene after the solemnization of marriage and bride is being carried in a ‘Doli’ to her in-law’s place. As the tough climb begins, thirsty ‘Dulhan’ asks for water. Her request is laughed away and no heed is paid. As the track becomes strenuous, her thirst intensifies and repeated entreaties end up in assurance of water at next available source. A stage is reached when thirst becomes unbearable and (Doli is put down) journey is put to halt. All and one are requested to do the needful and arrange for water. In the quest a water source is sited but is miles deep down in a gorge, which is extremely difficult to reach. Repeated requests of bridegroom fail to evoke any response, as the job requires superhuman effort. The plight of ‘Dulhan’ prompts a young man to volunteer for the job. All present warn him of the probable consequences but he is undeterred. During the ensuing discussions, the groom in an insolent tone bets away his bride in lieu of water. Thus begins the struggle for water. The young man, putting his life in extreme danger, overcomes all hurdles and ultimately succeeds in bringing the water. As bride quenches her thirst, the young man falls dead, out of sheer exhaustion. In stunned atmosphere, ‘Baraties’ decide to continue with the journey but ‘Dulhan’ refuses to do so. She declares herself a widow and cries out a wail (Ghumayee) sanctifying the significance of human relationship over the most prized relationship of marriage bound by mere rituals.
The proud actors of Natrang who kept the audience spellbound, included Suresh Kumar, Anil Tickoo, Vikrant Sharma, Gauri Thakur, Sumeet Sharma, Subash Jamwal, Neeraj Kant, Rahul Singh and other.
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