Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Apr 8: Balwant Thakur’s internationally acclaimed Dogri play ‘Ghumayee’ was staged by Natrang Jammu here this evening at Matrika Auditorium, SMVD University.
The play was staged in connection with the ‘Decadal Celebrations’ of SMVD University, Katra. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, was the chief guest on the occasion.
First produced in the year 2000, the play is based on Dogri Folk Tale of a hilly village and opens with a ‘Vidai’ scene after the solemnization of marriage and bride is being carried in a ‘Doli’ to her in-law’s place. As the tough climb begins, thirsty ‘Dulhan’ asks for water. Her request is laughed away and no heed is paid.
As the track becomes strenuous, her thirst intensifies and repeated entreaties end up in assurance of water at next available source. A stage is reached when thirst becomes unbearable and (Doli is put down) journey is put to halt. All and one are requested to do the needful and arrange for water.
In the quest a water source is sited but is miles deep down in a gorge, which is extremely difficult to reach. Repeated requests of bridegroom fail to evoke any response, as the job requires superhuman effort. The plight of ‘Dulhan’ prompts a young man to volunteer for the job. All present warn him of the probable consequences but he is undeterred.
During the ensuing discussions, the groom in an insolent tone bets away his bride in lieu of water. Thus begins the struggle for water. The young man, putting his life in extreme danger, overcomes all hurdles and ultimately succeeds in bringing the water. As bride quenches her thirst, the young man falls dead, out of sheer exhaustion.
In stunned atmosphere, ‘Baraties’ decide to continue with the journey but ‘Dulhan’ refuses to do so. She declares herself a widow and cries out a wail (Ghumayee) sanctifying the significance of human relationship over the most prized relationship of marriage bound by mere rituals.
The actors who performed in the play were Vikrant Sharma, Anil Tickoo, Neeraj Kant, Subash Jamwal, Sumeet Sharma, Rahul Singh, Ankush Lakhnotra, Gauri Thakur, Aishwarya Sathe, Geetanjali Khajuria, Meenakshi Bhagat, Sanchita Dubey, Gopi Sharma, Rajan Thakyal, Mahikshit Singh, Abhee Bargota, Rishiv Sharma, Yash Manhas, Shivam Singh and Brijesh Avtaar Sharma.
The music of the play was composed by Suraj Singh who also led the singing of the play. The lights of the play were designed was Suraj Ganjoo and executed brilliantly by Gaurav Jamwal. The audiography of the play was designed and executed by Mohd Yaseen. The show was coordinated by Aarushi Thakur and Vanshika Gupta did the stage management.
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