Amritsar mourns loss of eminent playwright Jatinder Singh Brar

A native of Jagdev Khurd village in Amritsar district, Jatinder Singh Brar was professionally an engineer. Though he spent several years in the United States, his deep passion for theatre drew him back to his roots. After returning to Amritsar, he established a world-class theatre, Natshala, on half of his factory plot located on prime land opposite Khalsa College, Amritsar. The theatre was equipped with North India’s first revolving stage and modern technical facilities, setting new benchmarks for Punjabi theatre.

Brar authored and directed several powerful and successful plays, including Paidaan, Kudesan and Faasle. Through hundreds of performances, he carved a distinct identity in the theatre world. Many artistes trained under him later made their mark in films and television, including Bharti Singh, Rajeev Kumar and Sukhi Puar. He was also instrumental in persuading renowned playwright Kewal Dhaliwal to actively contribute to the promotion of theatre in Amritsar.

The Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM) has expressed deep sorrow over his demise and paid heartfelt tributes to the theatre stalwart. AVM members Principal Kulwant Singh Ankhi, Dr Charanjit Singh Gumtala, Manmohan Singh Brar, Hardip Singh Chahal, Rajwinder Singh Gill, Jaspal Singh and Advocate Gurjinder Singh Sachdeva remembered him as a visionary who took Amritsar’s theatre to national and international heights. They conveyed condolences to his family, friends, students and admirers, stating that his contribution to theatre would always be cherished.

The Gursharan Singh Virasat Sambhal Committee also mourned his demise, calling it an irreplaceable loss to Punjabi theatre and the democratic cultural movement. The committee expressed solidarity with the bereaved family during this hour of grief.

Committee conveners Dr Parminder and Kewal Dhaliwal, along with Dr Navsharan, Dr Atul, Dr Areet, Amolak Singh, Jaswant Jass, Sumit Amritsar, Ramesh Yadav, Yashpal Jhabal, Gurbachan Singh, Advocate Amarjit Bai and Dr Kashmir Singh, paid rich tributes to Brar. They said that inspired by the scientific theatre vision of Gursharan Bhaji, Brar transformed his factory opposite Khalsa College into a modern theatre space, reaffirming his lifelong commitment to meaningful theatre.