Punjabi play mesmerises audience

Our Correspondent

Chandigarh, October 24

After credible performances of Hindi theatre, the Alankar theatre group ventured to maintain their excellence in classic Punjabi dramas with two shows of a play ‘Kanak di Balli’ at the mini auditorium of Tagore Theatre here today.

The play, based on a book by novelist and thespian Balwant Gargi, is a sordid story of true love, repressed desires and dreams of Taro and Bachna who fall victim to the oppressive and malicious attitude of land lord Maggar Singh. Both are subjected to all sorts of torment and victimisation. In the process,  the inherent tendencies of avarice, decadence and degeneration of ethics and human values is revealed. 

 The use of original Malvai dialect used in the book and improvement in the roles of protagonists was impressive. The musical renditions and vibrant folk dances, besides stage craft and lights , remained lifeline of the play.