Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Feb 7: Armen Pather, a play in Kashmiri, performed by ALG Cultural Society, staged at the Abhinav Theatre, here today, on the penultimate day of International Theatre festival being organized by National School of Drama, New Delhi, in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, was an experimental production based on elements of Kashmir folk theatre form of Bhand Pather.
Written by Mori Lal Kemmu, well known for renaissance work in the restoration on of Kashmir’s vanishing folk theatre forms, the play has been re-casted with certain liberties both in terms of content and form, keeping in mind the modern perspective. The plot revolves around an old vegetable grower (Arem) Lala Sofi and his wife Divech (Armen) and their adopted daughter Piter Koor for whom they bring an alien young man Parzoon through Subhan Sofi.
Lala Sofi is called for Begaar but Prazon is sent. When Prazoon returns after hard labor and travel, he narrates his experiences. Prazoon halfheartedly learns the trade of growing vegetables. Many modern day problems erupt and with the unity of villagers all are overcome. The play ends with Piter Koor’s marriage with Prazoon.
Directed by Ravi Shanker Kemmu, today’s production performed by a mixed of cast of Kashmiri and Dogra non-traditional Bhand actors and dancers, came out as successful theatrical piece full of humor, music and dance.
Weaving of best of Sufi poetry of Nyam Saab, Shah Qalander and Ahmad Rahn and sung in representative folk music forms not only enhanced the musical charm of the overall production, but also reiterated the inherent composite ethos of Kashmir’s socio-cultural fabric.
Manoj Bhat as Maskhar 1, was gave an excellent performance which showed his prowess as an actor as well as a dancer. Vinay Pandita as Kot, Shivam Bhat as Subhan Sofi, Rani Bhan as Devach Armen, Chander Mohan Zutshi as Lala Sofi and Meenal Peer as Piter kour also were impressive in their respective roles.
But, it was Vishal Hanjura as Parzoon, who stole the show for his befitting portrayal of a comic Parzoon. Other members of cast were Ramesh Pandita, Arvind Kaul, Vinay Suri and Shammi. The Arem Koors’ chorus comprised of Qurtar Jaan, Sheetal Sharma, Neha Bhat, Soniya Suri, Pallavi, Deepshikha Sharma, Pooja Tikku and Anchal Sawhney.
Music was composed by Dr Kuldeep Swedeshi, songs by Ms Nirmal and costumes by Deepankur Sharma. Tomorrow, the festival will conclude with Agni Varsham (in Telugu), directed by Dr. Rammohan Holagundi and performed by Nishumbita Cultural Association, Hyderabad.
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