The world of art and culture

SD Sharma

The North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) Patiala in collaboration with Sanskar Bharti is organising the third edition of Acharya Abhinav Gupt National Theatre festival from 8 to 10 February at Tagore Theatre. Dr Saubhagya Vardhan, director NZCC disclosed that the festival is dedicated to the memory 10th century saint and scholar of Natya Shastra from Kashmir. Here is the brief of three socially relevant Hindi plays to be staged in the festival.

Saturday, February 8

Boodhey Ne Khaa by Rang Vishard Club Delhi

Director: Veena Sharma

Well-acclaimed dancer-actor-director Veena Sharma, in association with National School of Drama’s Sanskar Theatre sculpted the play, Boodhey Ne Khaa from a story by Manika Devi. The play is an exploration in the psyche of a career-conscious young man who in his pursuit to claim wealth, name and fame considers and uses all relationships, including his parents, as a ladder to support his career growth. Sadly, the old parents are ill-treated later left to sulk, facing problems of old age. They live with the anguish but fail to denounce the attitude of their son.

Sunday, February 9

Mein Bojh Nahin Bhavishya Hoon by Raja Man Singh Tomar University, Gwalior

Director: Himanshu Dwivedi

The second day of the festival presents a Hindi play Mein Bojh Nahin Bhavishya Hoon. It is a tribute to women empowerment and ‘Beti bachao, beti padaao’. The play moves around buffalo grazer Sheikh Chilli who is blessed with three daughters after marriage. But driven by the urge to get a son, he kills two of his elder daughters while he is blessed with a son. His over affection makes the boy a drug addict who eventually turns away his parents. Meanwhile, the studious younger daughter, studying on scholarships makes it to IAS and finally takes care of her parents.

Monday, February 10

Diploma in Corruption by Rang Mandap Ghaziabad

Direction: JP Singh

The concluding day’s play Diploma in Corruption is the story of a school teacher who feels hurt and upset at the growing pollution in natural environment and societal behaviour. Being a teacher with a conscience, he attempts to regulate the situations but is forced by limitations. The play is treated with humour and satire but offers serious didactic advice.

Second three-day NZCC Raagini Utsav

Raagini is the popular folklore genre of the musical culture of Haryana, which is ever vibrant, evolving and even flexible. The compositions of raaginis are based on heroic ballads, devotional and romantic themes. Here is the schedule of Raagini recitals by acclaimed folklore maestros.

Tuesday, February 11

Narender Dangi and party

Rakesh Bharaniyan and party

Wednesday, February 12

Preeti Choudhury and group

Sukhbir Bhaklana and party

Thursday, February 13

Amit Malik and party

Vikas Pahasoriya and party

Entry to theatre is free for all performances.