Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: National Academy of Letters (Sahitya Akademi), Union Ministry of Culture, has invited eminent playwright and theatre director Balwant Thakur to participate in the world’s largest literature festival being held in New Delhi from 11th to 16th of March as playwright.
Amongst many literary events being held in the festival of letters, Balwant Thakur will be the key speaker in the event entitled ‘Playwriting in India’. Known for bringing Dogri Theatre in the global limelight, Balwant Thakur has 27 original plays to his credit. His prominent plays include ‘Ghumayee’, ‘Suno Eh Kahani’, ‘Iss Gran Gi Swarg Banai Lo’, ‘Gulab Gatha’ and ‘Mere Hisse Ki Dhoop Kahan Hai’.
His play ‘Aap Hamaare Hain Kaun’ has been translated in English, Creole and French. Apart from Balwant Thakur, the discourse ‘Playwriting in India’ organized by Sahitya Akademi, is being addressed by DP Sinha, Devindera Raj Ankur, Soumitra Mitra, Dilip Borkar, Mahendra Malangiya, Y Sadanand Singh, Abhiram Bhadkamar and Bigoy Kumar Satapathy.
Coveted with highest Indian honour in performing arts i.e. Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for direction in theatre and Padmashree, Balwant Thakur held very prestigious positions including Secretary J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, Regional Director Indian Council for Cultural Relations in the Union Ministry of External Affairs, Cultural Diplomat of India to the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Mauritius.
He holds a unique credit of having held his artistic presentations in over a record 100 international cities globally.