Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 31: Naqaib Rang Manch today presented a Kashmiri play “Mallika-e-Ghazal” depicting the life of legend Ghazal singer Begum Akhtar at Government College for Women (GCW), Parade in connection with her birth anniversary.
The play was organized by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages with support from Ministry of Culture, New Delhi.
On the occasion, Makhan Lal Saraf was the chief guest.
Dr Sudhir Mahajan from J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages presented the welcome address.
The play was written and directed by Daizy Naqaib, whileas music director was Dharminder Kumar.
The play was based on the life and work of “Begum Akhtar”. She was the first lady who changed the singing which was sung in mehfils or private gatherings into classical music. She was the first women who sang songs in ghazals, dadra and thumri.
The play started with the famous Ghazal of Begum Akhtar—“Aye Mohabbat Tere Naam Pe Rona Aaya”. After that the struggle of “Begum Akhtar” which was done by her after marriage was enacted by “Akhteri and Ahmad”. They loved each other and at the end her fight for singing nearly for last five years. The two narrators “Naveed” and “Gayateri” described her struggle for singing. Akhteri (Begum Akhter’s) (old age) stage act showed her acting skills.
The play concluded with the Begum Akhter’s famous song “Sab Ajnabi Hai-n-Yahaan Kaun Kis Ki Paha Channe”.
In the play, Bimla Naqaib acted as Begum Akhtar, Daizy Bazaz and Yawer Khur Wani as narrators, Vinay Pandita as Ishtaq Ahmed Abbasi (Begum Akhter’s Husband) and Shashi Naqaib as Akhteri (Young Begum Akhtar).
The costumes were designed by Shashi, make-up was done Bimla Naqaib, set designer was Rakesh Naqaish, singer was Indu Bala and Ajay Kumar was assistant director/backstage. The lights were designed by Raj Kumar Bhat.
In the end, Sudhir Mahajan from J&K Academy of Art Culture and Language presented vote of thanks.
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