In context

There is so much that I discovered as I got down to reading Ibsens plays. His characters are complex and treatment layered and theres amazing material thats waiting to be explored, ...

Among the three directors from the country invited to showcase a new production of Ibsens work,Neelam Man Singh explored various milieus in the production,Little Eyolf…Little Abaan

There is so much that I discovered as I got down to reading Ibsens plays. His characters are complex and treatment layered and theres amazing material thats waiting to be explored, Neelam Man Singh talks about her latest production,based on playwright and dramatist Ibsens Little Eyolf and tiltled Little Abaan. The play was recently staged at the Ibsen Festival presented by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in the Capital,the idea being to explore Ibsen further,in terms of the Indian context. The festival hosted,commissioned and showcased three new productions of Ibsens works by three of the countrys accomplished contemporary directors who have developed a distinct style that reflects their personal,cultural and regional identities. Ratan Thiyam from Manipur,Anuradha Kapoor,Director,NSD and Neelam Man Singh chose Isbens last three plays for the festival,which Neelam describes as a unique experience,which encompassed discussions,seminars et al. A varied treatment and perspective is what the audience viewed as Ratan created a spectacle with his big group of actors,amazing choreography and so many different milieus. Anuradhas play was modern,cutting edge,with a huge set, the feel of the festival was heightened by the response of the audience. Realistic,naturalistic and symbolistic plays secured Ibsen world fame and also the fact that he was always in search of something new.

As for Little Eyolf, it was bi-lingual and Neelam did away with the third act,getting the 90-page play to only 28! New dimensions of Ibsen is what we discovered through these performances and I can easily say it was one of the toughest projects that I have done and creatively satisfying for both me and my actors. Grief,self-estrangement resolution,death of a child,Ibsen takes a dizzying leap into the complex minds of the four characters and the metaphorical journey that the characters undergo to build new lives for themselves, Neelam did the play in three blocks. And in the process,she says,the plays meanings dawned upon her,like the symbolism of life,seldom formulated,never worked out with precision or logic…

Parul

Parul is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express in Chandigarh. She is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience specializing in public health, higher education, and the architectural heritage of Northern India. Professional Profile Education: Graduate in Humanities with a specialized focus on Journalism and Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh. Career Path: She began her career covering local city beats and human interest stories before joining The Indian Express in 2009. Over the last decade and a half, she has risen to the rank of Principal Correspondent, becoming the publication’s primary voice on Chandigarh’s premier medical and academic institutions. Expertise: Her reporting is deeply rooted in the institutional dynamics of PGIMER (Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research) and Panjab University. She is highly regarded for her ability to navigate complex administrative bureaucracies to deliver student-centric and patient-centric news. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2024 - 2025) Her recent work highlights critical reporting on healthcare infrastructure, academic governance, and urban culture: 1. Public Health & PGIMER "PGIMER expands digital registry: Centralized patient records to reduce wait times by 40%" (Nov 20, 2025): A detailed look at the digital transformation of one of India's busiest medical institutes to tackle patient influx. "Robotic Surgery at PGI: Why the new urology wing is a game-changer for North India" (Oct 12, 2025): Reporting on the acquisition of state-of-the-art medical technology and its impact on affordable healthcare. "Shortage of life-saving drugs: Inside the supply chain crisis at government pharmacies" (Dec 5, 2025): An investigative piece on the logistical hurdles affecting chronic patients in the tri-city area. 2. Education & Institutional Governance "Panjab University Senate Election: The battle for institutional autonomy" (Dec 18, 2025): In-depth coverage of the high-stakes internal elections and the friction between traditional governance and central reforms. "Research funding dip: How PU’s science departments are navigating the 2025 budget cuts" (Nov 5, 2025): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing researchers and the impact on India's global academic ranking. 3. Art, Culture & Heritage "Le Corbusier’s legacy in peril: The struggle to preserve Chandigarh’s Capitol Complex" (Dec 22, 2025): A feature on the conservation efforts and the tension between urban modernization and UNESCO heritage status. "Chandigarh Art District: How street murals are reclaiming the city’s grey walls" (Oct 30, 2025): A cultural profile of the local artists transforming the aesthetic of the "City Beautiful." Signature Style Parul is known for her empathetic lens, often centering her stories on the individuals affected by policy—whether it is a student navigating university red tape or a patient seeking care. She possesses a unique ability to translate dense administrative notifications into actionable information for the public. Her long-standing beat experience makes her a trusted source for "inside-track" developments within Chandigarh’s most guarded institutions. X (Twitter): @parul_express ... Read More

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In context

There is so much that I discovered as I got down to reading Ibsens plays. His characters are complex and treatment layered and theres amazing material thats waiting to be explored, ...

There is so much that I discovered as I got down to reading Ibsens plays. His characters are complex and treatment layered and theres amazing material thats waiting to be explored, ...