In the run up to the 75th Independence Day, cultural organisations in tricity are planning to promote our rich cultural heritage through a host of activities. Here's a quick check
Mona
The true beauty of our country lies in the diversity of people, and tricity is gearing up to celebrate the 75 years of India’s Independence by paying an ode to the art, dance, literature and theatre of our vast country through various workshops as well as events.
Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi (CLKA) has been keeping a busy calendar through the year while celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. For the Independence Day, mega celebrations have been planned. “We are planning to bring together works of 75 artists for India’s Independence Day,” shares Bheem Malhotra, chairperson of Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi.
At the Undepass-17, CLKA held four workshops in the run up to the big day that saw some 60 artists showcase their works. “We want to give city residents a feel of Indian artists for our fifth workshop. We have known names like Masood Hussain from Srinagar, Anil Bodwal from Delhi, Nabibakhsh Mansoori from Ahmedabad, Adarsh Palandi from Damoh, Madhya Pradesh,” adds Malhotra.
Literary note
The new chairperson of Chandigarh Sahitya Akademi, Madhav Kaushik has ambitious plans, “My thrust is going to be documentation and publication as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. I want to hold series of seminars on role of literature and media in freedom struggle. Newspapers like The Tribune have contributed significantly to the nation’s independence. Through seminars in different languages, I want to document and publish these papers in the form of a book in different languages,” says Kaushik.
Celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Theatre For Theatre in collaboration with Punjab Sangeet Akademi Chandigarh organised the 7th TFT Summer Theatre Festival where two plays paid a tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh and Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Sudesh Sharma with his group is planning to present a play around nationalism on the Independence Day at one of the housing societies, which has reached out to him for a show though Har Ghar Tiranga campaign.
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The city’s cultural hub, Tagore Theatre has been organising many workshops, plays and other cultural activities. The week-long celebrations saw puppetry, mime, dance, comedy; and for the big day a writing workshop is on the anvil. “The intention is to motivate youngsters to write plays. Out of the 30 participants, five scripts will be chosen and printed. Further these would be directed by the local theatre groups,” shares Chakresh Kumar, director, Tagore Theatre.
Planned in August and September, one month will be dedicated to the writing workshop and one to direction. “We want to bring out fresh writing and give a chance to tricity directors to work on new scripts. We would help the directors with sets, designs, musicians, and felicitate the groups,” says Chakresh. Around the Independence Day, Tagore Theatre would also see a classical dance, folk dance and folk theatre festival.
Play on
Azaadi is the theme for the kavi darbar that Punjab Arts Council has planned. Patriotic songs and plays will be showcased by Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi. “We are going to stage plays and hold two musical evenings with patriotic themes,” says Kewal Dhaliwal, President Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi. The event would be held at Punjab Kala Bhawan-16.
Woh Kaun Tha by Ismat Chughtai and Kabuliwala by Rabindranath Tagore will be performed on August 13, 6.30 pm onwards at Tagore Theatre by students of St Kabir School. The stories are directed by Zubin Mehta. “Chughtai’s story Woh Kaun Tha is a satire on communal obsession and Tagore’s very popular story Kabuliwala a poignant tale about a friendship between a grown up man and a little girl,” says Zubin. The entry will be on a first-come-first-served basis.
