Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, May 30: Title Ek Chingari, the play on the life of freedom fighter Aruna Asif Ali, staged at the Abhinav Theatre, here today, came out an apt homage to the grand old lady of Independence, as she is called.
Presented by Viraj Kala Kendra in collaboration with J&K Cultural Academy, written by Rajneesh Gupta and directed by Sapna Soni, the play highlighted the landmark events in the life of Aruna Ganguly, the Bramho, high-caste Bengali lady who had married against all odds, Asif Ali, a Muslim senior to her by 22 years and was disowned by her family and relatives.
The plot meandered through main life events of the extremely brave young lady who following her husband plunged into the freedom struggle. Her participation in the Salt Satyagraha in 1930, hoisting of the Indian National Congress flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai during the Quit India Movement, fight for better treatment of political prisoners in Tihar jail in 1932, formed the main focus.
Today’s play staged in the backdrop of well designed set by Jagpal, successfully brought on the stage the fire and commitment of freedom fighters who irrespective of cast and creed fully dedicated themselves to the coveted cause. Marked by realism interspersed with subtle symbolic treatment, today impactful performance owed to acting skills of the entire team of actors, some of them in multiple roles. Sapna Soni, as Aruna Asif Ali, successfully portrayed the restrained yet fiery personality of the Heroine of 1942. Balwinder Singh as Asif Ali, Lalita Tapasavi as Ammi, Amarjeet Arora as Kaku/Moti Lal/Ram Manohar, Kanchi Khajuria as Mother/Prisoner, and Aditya Bhanu as British Officer also gave good performances. Others members of the cast were Suresh, Arun Gandotra, Rahul Pandita, Arun Singh, Sudesh Katoch, Sheetal Dogra. Background music was by Rakesh Anand, costumes by Meera Tapasavi, make up by Shammi Dhamir.
Prominent among the audience were Prof R. D. Sharma, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu, Sheetal Nanda, Deputy Commissioner Samba, Ravinder Singh, Director School Educaton and Prof Rita Jatinder.
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