Rajeshwar Singh ‘Raju’
Long ago, an actress stepped on the stage with a piece of cloth covering her eyes. When she started reacting to her co-actors, delivering her dialogues and at the climax removed the blindfold from her eyes, she spellbound the audience with her powerful voice and expressions at Abhinav Theatre Jammu. It was Gandhari, she was portraying on stage and the play was Dharamveer Bharti’s much talked about theatre play ‘Andha Yug’. It is always a challenge not only for the director but the performers as well as others associated with the production because it’s not so easy to step in that era and prove your worth as a creative person both in making and execution. It was my first encounter with the celebrated actress of stage, an anchor, social worker and animal lover Sunita Pandit.
Presently working as a teacher in master grade in Department of School Education Jammu she has a vast experience of more than 35 years in theatre and tele- productions. Right from an early age she has been doing theatre, compering Western Music for Aakahswani Jammu and proving her worth as a performer in television serials. Like many others, Radio now Aakashwani has played a vital role in encouraging the children and youths for their creative activities. It was the best platform that one aspired for as listening to Radio was a craze. Listening to own recordings or going live was so exciting. She recalls the golden era of past and admits that although there are so many means of entertainment available at a click of button now thanks to revolution in information technology, but the real entertainment is missing somewhere. That soothing experience, a feel touching the innermost of heart is not there. If it is said that we have stepped into a mechanical era, free of emotions then it will not be an exaggeration.
Sunita Pandit has a passion for theatre. She has participated in more than 20 National Theatre and International Theatre Festivals and has also conducted and attended Theatre Workshops at State and National level being organized by National School of Drama (NSD) and Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) New Delhi. She has the privilege of having worked under the direction of established Theatre Directors like Kavi Rattan, Balwant Thakur, M.K.Raina, Probir Guha, Deepak Kumar, Prof. Rita Jitender, Mushtaq Kak, Rakesh Gupta (IAS) etc. She has proved her immense potential in numerous theatre plays that include Andha Yug, Aadhe Adhure, Ojameyanei Jis Lahore Nei Vekheya, Raktbeej, Kuttey, Mahaboj, Kabira Khada Bazar Mein, Kisi Ek Phool Ka Naam Batao, Comedy of Terror, Kauva Chala Hans Ki Chaal, Lotan, Marekhey, Inder dhanush etc.
She says that if she was able to realize her dreams on the stage as a performer, all credit goes to her parents who never stopped her from fulfilling her desires but instead inspired her. She takes it as women empowerment and advocates that if the families extend full support to girls then there will be a dynamic change in our society. She makes it a point that self confidence that she had gained from her parents should be imparted to children who need it most and she has an opportunity to do it as a teacher to many.
For her colossal contributions in the field of theatre and social work she has been honoured by many Government and Non-Government organizations from time to time which include Best Actress & Best Debater Award for three consecutive years 1983 to 1985 in Inter Universities Cultural Festivals, Great Women Award-2017,felicitated by French Club Jammu, The Performers etc. She has the honourfor being one among the women selected from all over India in All India teachers’ interaction programme with former president of India Pratibha Singh Patil.
She is of the opinion that new entrants should not take theatre merely a ladder to jump over more glamorous mediums of expression, predominantly films or television. Such an ambition is short sighted and results in depression when expectations are not met. Mostly, the theatre activists step on stage at a tender age which is very crucial for their career also and they may get misled with the fabricated success stories of a few among millions of failed ones. They need to realize that theatre is in fact an education and helps in personality development. It gives you confidence to express yourself and strike at right time thus making use of opportunities. Parents should encourage their children for extracurricular activities and theatre is one of the best among those. As a teacher she has observed that the students who are active in theatre or other cultural activities have an edge on the others.
Sunita Pandit advocates that Theatre is not merely a source of entertainment but it makes you more sensible towards others. A significant part of her affection towards unconditional love of animals is also attributed to her commitment towards theatre which shapes a human being with all sensibilities and accountability towards other living beings. She had an urge to serve them from childhood and feels strange bond with the voiceless animals especially for strays. She spends more than half of her salary on their food, medicines and treatment and eyebrows raised by others does not deter her determination, rather she gets more enthusiastic and devoted towards a cause close to her heart. She says that feeding the strays feeds her soul and filled bellies and comfortable beds make their harsh lives a little better. Wagging tails and joyful strays makes her smile all day.
Without advertising her care for stray dogs, she is happy feeding and looking after strays and gets them neutered with the help of Jammu Municipal Corporation. She pleads that if this service is offered at individual level then the burden of NGOs and Trusts would lessen and their services could be utilized for animals who need special care and whose survival is not possible on roads.Although like other animal lovers Sunita Pandit has also faced a lot of opposition from neighborhood but it did not weaken her efforts but instead gave her even more strength and confidence to feed more hungry voiceless souls.
Here, I will like to state that those who opt theatre for multiple reasons should keep in their mind that if they are able to develop their personality, life becomes even more comfortable and beautiful to live in because it gives you confidence to face the challenges which are bound to come at different stages of life. Have that comfort from Theatre, as rightly said by Sunita Pandit.
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