‘Kanyadaan’, a story of caste divide

Our Correspondent
Chandigarh, February 19

The Chandigarh Art Theatre group staged a socially relevant play, ‘Kanyadaan’, a Hindi version of celebrated playwright Vijay Tendulkar classic, at Mini Tagore Theatre here on Tuesday.

The play was directed by Ranjit Roy. The play was a family drama reflecting conflict between the upper class society and the Dalits. It talked about marriage of a Brahmin girl Jyoti with Dalit boy Arun Athawale.

While Jyoti’s father Nath Devlalikar, an MLA and social activist, who wanted to remove the caste or class divide consents to the marriage. But his wife Seva, a social worker, has apprehensions, which came true after as Jyoti’s husband ill-treated her.

The play suggested that the class-divide and the conflict between the upper-class and the Dalit would continue forever. But with the passage of time and social awakening, the thematic content loses its significance.

Chief guest Manoj Parida, Adviser to the UT Administrator, blessed the artistes.