Dramatic Procession

While street theatre festivals in villages around Chandigarh are regularly organised by the Akademi,the annual theatre festival is special,as it strives to promote both regional and Hindi theatre of the region. This year,eight theatre groups of the Tricity will be participating in this festival,with an aim to present a variety of themes. Anita Shabdeesh is directing a powerful play in Punjabi titled Man Mitti Da Bolya. Written by Shabdeesh,it’s based on a real incident in Pakistan,where a woman was sexually assaulted by five people as a diktat of the tribal panchayat. Sahib Singh’s Jungle Bolda Hai is a play about tribals living in central India.

Meanwhile,the kitchen becoming an integral part of the history of evolution is an absorbing theme for the play Chhaan Vihoone,written by Devinder Daman and directed by Jaswant Daman. Bina Deewar Ke Ghar by Manu Bhandari,directed by Rajiv Mehta and Siropa,directed by Sangeeta of Theatre Art are plays that depict internal and external trivials of middle-class families.

Punjabi literature finds its way in with Kahni Ik Pind Di,based on five stories of Santokh Singh Dhir and directed by Sanjeevan Singh. Also to be staged is Dharamvir Bharati’s Andha Yug. “It is considered to be the first modern play in India and it’s timeless which will appeal to any audience,” says Chakresh Kumar who will direct it. Asif Ali of Rang Virasat will present Station.

Elsewhere in Amritsar,theatre director Kewal Dhaliwal is preparing for the city’s 8th National Theatre Festival. “It’s special as it’s dedicated to my mentor Gursharan Singh,” says Dhaliwal. The festival opens with Gursharan Singh’s Dhamak Nagare Di presented by Dhaliwal’s Manch Rangmanch. “Touching various aspects and dimesions of humanity,we have a rich line-up of productions,” says Dhaliwal. Ajoka Theatre from Pakistan taking the peace process further with staging of Dara,Swadesh Deepak’s powerful Court Martial,Aks Delhi’s Hum Dono,Manto’s work in Gair Zarrori Log by Mushtaq Kak from Jammu are part of the line-up.

The Amritsar festival,at Punjab Naatshala,Amritsar,November 12 to 20.

The Chandigarh Theatre Festival at Randhawa Auditorium,Punjab Kala Bhawan,Sector 16,Chandigarh; November 11 to 18.