Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 8: 223rd Birth anniversary of Maharaja Gulab Singh, founder of J&K State, was celebrated today by Maharaja Gulab Singh Memorial Trust in association with Indian Council for Cultural Relations at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, Jammu here this evening by presenting a musical dramatic presentation `Gulab Gatha’.
Dr Karan Singh presided over the function, which was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, MLC Vikramaditya Singh, MLC Ajatshatru Singh and Director ICCR, Balwant Thakur.
On the occasion, noted historian of the State, Fida Mohammad Hasnain was awarded the ninth Maharaja Gulab Singh Award by Chairman Trustee, Dr Karan Singh. The award carries a cash amount of Rs two lacs and a citation plaque.
While paying tributes to Maharaja Gulab Singh, Dy CM said that contribution of this founder of the J&K State would be remembered by generations to come. He stressed that we should also contribute our bit by educating the younger generation about the historical role of the son of the soil.
The major highlight of the occasion was a musical dramatic presentation ‘Gulab Gatha’ in Dogri, which was conceived designed and directed by Balwant Thakur and the noted music composer Brij Mohan rendered the lyrics and the music. The play is a journey of a common young man who rose to the status of an emperor because of his sheer ability to fight great wars and to strategically develop an effective diplomatic policy. The play makes an effort to let the world understand that how a normal person from Jammu rises to become the hero and saviour for the Lahore Durbar. It is a journey of this hero who faces various hurdles from the same Durbar, which once undoubtedly trusted him. However, it is his persuasive ability and sacrifice which plunges us and leaves us bewildered that how he manages to coordinate and negotiate a new relation between the British, the Lahore Durbar and himself. The most remarkable event in the history on Jammu and Kashmir is that, Maharaja Gulab Singh was strong against all odds and his unshakable determination to save the land of Jammu and Kashmir from coming under the British is a land mark point the history. He was no less than Napoleon and Alexander who established himself as a king with the help of his bravery and continued to keep a hold on his empire because of his well-planned strategic and diplomatic intelligence.
Performed with the help of 70 artists on stage and about 15 at the offstage technicians, this spectacular musical mega show kept the audience spellbound through the succeeding thrilling unfolding of the important events of the life of Maharaja Gulab Singh.
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