Donning a new role in their twilight years

Aarti Kapur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 9

For some, one’s twilight years are a time to sit back and relax. But, for a few others, these could lend a new meaning to life. A group of six senior citizens are out to prove this with renewed vigour.

During the course of spending two hours at a day care centre, Aasha Kiran in Sector 46, these elderly have joined hands to enact a play reminiscent of the days of the country’s freedom struggle. 

After having worked in different government departments of the Centre, Punjab and Chandigarh Administration, the ‘artistes’ are preparing for their maiden performance in the play — Ram Mohammed Singh Azad — based on the life of martyr Udham Singh.  The play will be staged at Bal Bhawan, Sector 23, on Friday.

Inspired by one of their team members, JBS Sodhi, who is director of the Chandigarh Kala Mandir, the other five decided to join Sodhi in the endeavour, who is the play’s director. 

Lending a helping hand to senior citizens, the day care centre staff led by Dr Sanjeev Goyal also took up the challenge to play the role of Udham Singh. The centre coordinator Sameera Yasmeen and yoga instructor Mukti have also been assigned roles. 

One of the artistes, Asha Rani (60), who retired from the personnel staff of Punjab Chief Secretary Office and Kamlesh, a former superintendent in the Chandigarh Housing Board, who used to visit the day care centre for a one-hour yoga session, now rehearse for the play the entire day.

“For the past one month, I have devoted myself to rehearse for the play in which I will portray the role of a Christian. I have ignored my health or family problems,” said JP Sharma (64), a retired superintendent from the Indian Potassium Ltd.

While the oldest character in the play, Mahinder Singh Dhillon, (74)  — who retired as an assistant from the Ministry of Health and is currently working as a social worker in the Family Planning Association, Mohali — came to attend the last day of the rehearsal to give his best shot.