Plays highlight issues of drugs, water crisis

Balwant Garg

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, September 22

Offering a wide selection of thought-provoking plays on social values, life choices, and their consequences, artistes from different parts of the state gathered here to take part in Punjabi Drama Festival during the Baba Farid Annual Mela.

These plays open up discussions about ethics, remaining true to yourself, friendship, love, loss, crisis and challenges. Besides, these also throw light on topical themes such as migration of youngsters from Punjab, changing demography of the state, bullying, gangs, farmer suicide, drugs and alcohol abuse.

A play, ‘Gilee Mitee’ prepared by Lok Kala Manch, Majitha, talked about economic compulsions that are driving the youngsters to other countries, alarming unemployment, atmosphere of terror and insecurity, collapse of law and order, lack of work culture, apathy of political leadership to public, rampant corruption or dishonesty, scourge of drugs and lack of social security in the old age.

Other plays such as ‘Intzaar’ by Naat Rang, Abohar, depicted a demographic crisis being faced by the state. Plays such as ‘Kujh Te Karo Yaaro’ by Jajva Arts, Fazilka; ‘Apna Hissa’ by Kranti Kala Manch, Moga; and ‘Katha-e-Pani’ by Dev Lok Kala Manch and Khoj Kendar, Jaito, portrayed the drugs menace, a sharp increase in the number of drug-related deaths. Besides, artistes also threw light on the plummeting groundwater table, water crises and cancer-like diseases through their plays. 

“Theatre has the power to bring important issues to the forefront of public imagination. Besides, it reaches out to the communities and individuals and ensures that their influence continues after the curtain falls,” said DC Kumar Saurabh Raj.