Dramatist remembered

ibune News Service

Amritsar, May 18

Remembering the queen of ‘nautanki’ (drama) theatre, Padma Shree Gulab Bai, the first female artiste of the opera theatre genre in India, Virsa Vihar hosted a discussion on playwright Atamjit’s play ‘Guachi nadi da geet’ (Song on lost river) based on the life of Gulab Bai. The discussion was held on the play as a critical commentary on the achievements and significance of those achievements during Gulab Bai’s active years as a an artist.

“Gulab Bai was born in a backward community of performing artistes in 1926 yet she managed to master and excel in the art of ‘nautanki’. She reached iconic heights during her career as a performer, not just because of her talent, but also because of the challenges she overcame,” said Kewal Dhaliwal, president, Virsa Vihar Society.

Through the play, Atamjit depicted the struggles of an artiste, comparing the challenges Gulab Bai and her family had to face to the contemporary set up. “Even today, any artiste who wants to break free from stereotypes and fight caste labels, has to face the similar challenges,” he said while addressing the gathering. The event was held in collaboration with the Punjab Sangeet Natak Academy.