Artistes perform on rooftops to educate people

Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 22

As a contribution towards Covid-19 awareness, theatre artistes from Jammu to Delhi have made a chain of soliloquy performances on the rooftops and balconies of their homes with a message to the surrounding colonies to stay home and stay safe.

The idea to connect artistes from Jammu and Delhi for soliloquy monologues and dance performances was mooted by Jammu theatre artistes.

The messages have been well received by the people and some of them have even called the performers on their phones to express gratitude.

“We took this idea from a dramaturgical exercise conceived by Vikram Sharma, a Jammu theatre director and playwright, whose concept of theatre of convenience in 2010 was highly acclaimed. Since the country is under a lockdown, artistes found that the performances by them are the strongest medium through which they could play their part in society and contribute to the awareness campaign in neighborhoods,” said Kajal Suri, director at Robroo Theatre in New Delhi.

Sapna Soni, who is from Jammu and has directed ‘the Kalakaars’, said her artistes had discussed the concept with theatre doers in New Delhi and had decided to daily perform a piece of soliloquy performance on their rooftops in a chain form to aware people to keep themselves tight at home and stay safe.

“Covid-19 has engulfed the entire world. The only precaution is social distancing and staying home during the lockdown. As a Kathak dancer, I took this unique opportunity to perform a dance piece in my balcony, sending a message across that staying home can be fun and entertainment also,” said Aastha Gupta, a renowned Kathak dancer from Gautam Budha Nagar, Noida West, New Delhi.

Freelance model and fashion designer from Ghaziabad Anjali Bansal, choreographer and fitness instructor from Dwarka, New Delhi, Rohit Singh Rajput and Pankaj from Pathankot joined the initiative to spread awareness in their respective areas.

President, Nat Manch, Jammu, Tarun Sharma said following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call on March 22 to beat utensils to express gratitude to the workers on the ground, he had started his performance by beating utensils on the rooftop so as to get an audience for his campaign.

“The performance on Covid-19 pandemic is our small gesture for the welfare of society,” said Bindia, artiste from Jammu.