The big stage

SD Sharma

According to John Gassner, celebrated authority on aesthetic and professional theatre, ‘ The drama is one of the greatest mediums of expression – a comprehensive art that is inalienable from civilization. The drama also represents humanity in moments of maximum tension, conflict and crisis to resolve them in broadly human terms.’

Inspired by the audience response, the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak akademi (CSNA) will hold a four-day National Theatre Festival-2016, from August 29 to September 1, at the Tagore Theatre, Sector 18 Chandigarh from 6: 30 pm onwards. Here is the itinerary.

August 29: Urdu play ‘Badnam Manto’ by Rangkarmee Kolkatta.

Director: Usha Ganguli

The play chronicles episodes from the life of Sadat Hasan Manto, the writer of merit. Rangkarmee Kolkatta has taken theatre to the US, Pakistan and Bangladesh as well.

August 30: Hindi play ‘Please Mat Jao’ by Third Bell Cultural Society Bhopal.

Director: Anoop Joshi

The play explores the psyche of a modern lover in search of a rich life partner, who cheats on a sincere, devout but poor girl and later gets deceived by a prostitute.

August 31: Hindi play ‘Honeymoon’ by Manchkriti Lucknow

Director: Sangam Bahuguna

The play ‘ Honeymoon’ is a hilarious situational comedy arising  out of a lies told by a young office assistant  about going on a belated honeymoon. 

September 1: Urdu play ‘Iffaqat’ by Rang Vishard Natya Sangh, New Delhi. Director: Veena Sharma

The historical play recounts the heinous mass killings and looting by invader Nadir Shah in 1739. It draws a comparison with today’s scene, which is dominated by terrorism, corruption, social and religious bigotry.