Packing a punch with monologues

Chandigarh’s oldest theatre group, Abhinet, to bring to the city a theatre festival on Aug 30.

IT’S back to the stage for Chandigarh’s oldest theatre group, Abhinet, which is bringing to the audience a theatre festival of monologues. Established in 1974 to promote the study and appreciation of drama by producing and sponsoring plays, the upcoming festival is part of Abhinet’s celebration of 41 years of promoting theatre, says Vijay Kapoor, director of all the three monologues, which will be staged back-to-back.

In the course of almost four decades, Abhinet has brought to stage over 75 full-length plays by Indian and foreign playwrights/writers such as Kalidasa, Mohan Rakesh, Arthur Miller, Rabindra Nath Tagore, Badal Sircar, Nirmal Verma, Girish Karnad, William Shakespeare, Samuel Beckett, T S Eliot, to name a few. Abhinet’s professional approach to theatre has earned its productions many accolades including invitation to numerous festivals across the country.

“It’s a special moment for theatre enthusiasts of our group, guided by the love for theatre. These monologues bring on stage the pathos, memories, trials and tribulations of five characters,’’ explains Kapoor, a theatre director, actor, author, painter, sculptor and secretary of Abhinet.

The first monologue, ‘Dhoop Ka Ek Tukda’, is based on a story by renowned writer, translator and activist, late Nirmal Verma, and revolves around a divorced woman’s search for hope and sunshine in her life. This will be followed by ‘Chhua to Hota’, based on a story by Vijay Kapoor, and portrays soft, lyrical sadness with plots, counter-plots and symbols. The third monologue, ‘Sankraman’, is based on a story by late Kamtanath, who has immensely contributed to Hindi literature through his plays, stories and novels. This monologue captures the circle of life from three perspectives.

Dr Kailash Ahluwalia is the production manager of the festival and Dr Rajnish Chhabra is the stage manager. The cast includes Ridhi Talwar, Vimmi Bhullar, Amit Talwar, Mani Uppal and Madhvi Kataria.

The festival of monologues will be held on August 30 at Tagore Theatre from 6.30 pm to 8.40 pm.

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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