Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, Dec 7: Organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), the 14-day Drama festival opened with a consummate presentation in Dogri of Sophocles’ Antigone, by Samooh Theatre, here today.
Today’s production of Antigone’s translated in Dogri free verse by Dr Sudhir Mahajan and directed by Ravinder Sharma, was not only successful in bringing upon stage the pathos underlying the classical Greek tragedy, but for its skillful presentation also reflected upon the fact that theatre in Jammu has truly come of age both in terms of artistic as well as technical presentations.
The story of Antigone is a post-script to Sophocles’ trilogy of plays revolving around the tragedy of Oedipus. After death of Oedipus, Antigone and her sister Ismene return to Thebes to help their brothers, Eteocles and Polyneices, who as per a prophecy will kill each other for the throne of Thebes.
Upon arrival at Thebes, Antigone learns that both of her brothers are dead. While Eteocles has been given a proper burial, Polyneices’ burial, has been banned through a royal edict by Antigone’s uncle, the king Creon. Antigone defies the law, buries her brother, and is imprisoned and where she kills herself. Thus the prophecy of blind prophet Teiresias comes true. Haemon, Creon’s son and wife also kill themselves, and the arrogant King is left in distress and sorrow.
Today’s production which sets a kind of benchmark for the drama festival, was marked by impressive acting of Avinash Lakhotra as Creon and the ease with which Kanika Sharma as Antigone handled long soliloquies.
Ravinder Sharma’s directorial imprint was clearly visible in groupings and movements of actors. Use of symbolic set, appropriate costumes, notable light design and above all effective background musical score, emerged as the strong points of the production.
Sudeedhi Sharma as Ismene, Shubam Singh Nag as Haemon and Hempreet Kour as Eurydice gave good performances. The Chorus comprised of Ajay Tamang, Rohit Singh Chib, Goutam Sharma, Samdheesh Mehra, Rutvi Kaul, Sugandha Khera and Pooja Devi. Others in the cast were Abhishek Bhat as Sentry, Gautam Kumar as Messenger, Kartik Singh Saini as the blind Teiresias, Mukul Bhains as Boy, Aditya Pandita and Sandeep Manhas as Guards I and II. Background score was designed by Surinder Manhas, lights by Sandeep and Lokesh, choreography by Rohit Bains, makeup by Shammi Dhamir.
Aziz Hazani, Secretary, JKAACL, an old-time theatre actor himself, in inaugural address reiterated the importance of theatre and the need to popularize it among the masses. The chief guest, Hemant Sharma, Secretary, Department of Culture, said that there was need to create more performance spaces in the state. Anjali Sharma, Director, Doordarshan Kendra Jammu was the guest of honor. Padmashree Moti Lala Kemmu, Mushtaq Ali, Suresh Sharma—the three judges of the festival, Prof Rita Jatinder, Arvinder Aman Additional Secretary JKAACL were also among the audience. Today’s function was conducted by Dr Sudhir Mahajan.
Tomorrow Sangam True Art Group will perform Punjabi translation of Shaker Shesh’s play Fandi.
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