Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 15: Natrang- a famous theatre group, celebrated its 32nd foundation day with the presentation of Charles Dicken’s `Great Expectations’ here today.
The play was adapted and directed by Aarushi Thakur. Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shantmanu was the chief guest on the occasion, while Dr Ram Vishwakarma, Director IIIM, presided over the function.
Founder of the Natrang, Padamshree Balwant Thakur unfolded the exciting dramatic happenings of Natrang in last 31 glorious years. He said in these years, Natrang Theatre group has with its selfless contribution and hard work, brought the J&K theatre to the national and international limelight. Its plays won appreciation not only in India but also in Russia, Germany, England (UK), Turkey, Singapore, Poland etc.
Established on May 15, 1983, this organization has been highly instrumental in giving new cultural identity to this distant part of the country and revolutionized the cultural life of the place through its out of the world initiatives. On the day of its launch the group presented two plays ‘Neeli Jheel’ and `Nanhey Kandhey Pair’ at Abhinav Theatre Jammu. The artists who featured in the first performance included Mohan Singh Asha Arora, Arun Sharma, Prabodh Jamwal, Arvind Anand and Vijay Attri. In past 31 years, the plays which over shadowed the theatre scene of the country included ‘Bawa Jitto’, ‘Ghumayee’, ‘Aap Hamaray Hain Koun’, ‘Mahabhoj’, ‘Chouraha’ etc. The director and Theatre Group has been honoured by Ford Foundation USA and British Council UK. Neeraj Kant, Anil Tickoo, Sanjeev Gupta, Juhi Singh, Pankaj Sharma have the credit of maximum number of participations during past years.
Balwant Thakur further said that Natrang has a dream for Jammu and has a mission to establish this place as an International destination theatre. The Institution is all set to create an International level campus in Jammu housing an auditorium, studio theatres, theatre residences, resource centres and an exclusive centre for the children. He also extended gratitude to those who contributed in making of this historic and revolutionary journey of Natrang in these past 31 glorious years.
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