Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 13: Natrang today treated Jammuites with the mesmerising presentation of Balwant Thakur’s internationally acclaimed Dogri play ‘Ghumayee’.
Principal Secretary to Governor, Rakesh Gupta, was the chief guest whereas Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu presided over the function. Chairman, 17 Miles Hotel and Restaurant, BP Bhalla was the guest of honour.
‘Ghumayee’ is a play based on Dogri folk tale of a hilly village and opens with a ‘Vidai’ scene after the solemnisation 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 Natrang artists, who acted in the play were Vikrant Sharma, Tajasvi Sharma, Anil Tickoo, Suresh Kumar, Sumeet Sharma, Subash Jamwal, Pawan Verma, Dimple Sharma, Ankush Lakhnotra, Sakshi Prakash, Aarushi Thakur, Uplaksh Singh, Surya Salathia, Ashwani Bali, Vanshika Gupta, Mahikshit Singh Langeh, Gopi Sharma, Sanchita Dubey and Sachin Saini.
The music of the play was scored by Suraj Singh. The lights were looked after by Suraj Ganjoo whereas the sound managed by Neeraj Kant.
The presentation of the play was supported by 17 Miles Hotel and Restaurant.
Meanwhile, Natrang felicitated BP Bhalla for promoting the cultural cause of Natrang.
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