Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 8: Balwant Thakur’s internationally acclaimed Dogri play ‘Ghumayee’ was again staged at Abhinav Theatre here today and it enthralled the jam-packed audience.
Aroma Multi Cuisine was the hospitality partner of this event.
The play opened with a live message on full screen of Director Natrang from Johennasberg, South Africa in which he appealed the audience to support this great moment of Natrang in much more enthusiasm and zeal during his absence from Jammu.
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.
Artists who performed in the play were Vikrant Sharma, Anil Tickoo, Neeraj Kant, Subash Jamwal, Suresh Kumar, Mahikshit Singh, Gauri Thakur, Sushant Singh, Vrinda Sharma, Meenakshi Bhagat, Shivam Singh, Sumit Raina, Abhinav Sharma and Manoj Lalotra.
The music was composed by Suraj Singh, lights were designed was Suraj Ganjoo and executed by Pankaj Sharma. The audiography of the play was designed and executed by Mohd. Yaseen.
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