Sir,
The review of Chanchlo ( DE,July13,2025), adapted into Dogri from Nadira Zaheer Babbar’s Sakubai is an evocatively crafted tribute—both to the artistry of Dr. Juhie Mohan and to the silenced stories of countless women whose lives rarely reach centre stage. It reflects the aspirations of the women of this class of working women.The review of the play by Dr.Mrinalini Atrey is so wonderful and captures the essence of the performance of Dr Juhi Mohan as a theatre artist.
Lines like ‘The mop glided, paused, resumed, absorbing each echo like the riverbank that never forgot its floods’ demonstrate the reviewer’s command over English language and her profound thoughts. The metaphors and imagery are potent, lending emotional gravity to the narrative.The structure of the performance, beginning with immersion, delving into Chanchlo’s traumatic past and culminating in redemptive transcendence has been beautifully mirrored.The review does more than critique a performance—it situates Chanchlo within a socio-political and cultural framework.
The mention of stigma and systemic violence adds depth and relevance.The closing line ‘in a world stripped of ornament, she dressed the stage in humanity’,is quietly stunning. It encapsulates the essence of the play and performance in a line worthy of quotation.It shows that theatre in Jammu has come of age and we expect more such singular performances related to the socio-economic conditions in which a majority of women, especially belonging to the lower strata of society,is forced to spend their life.It is hoped that Jammuites will witness more such plays being staged and appreciated.In short,both Dr.Juhi Mohan and Dr.Mrinalini Atrey deserve a big applause for their respective role as theatre artist and a critic.
Ashok Sharma
Housing Colony , Udhampur ( J&K)
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