Sir,
Reference article ‘Of legacy, legends and movement’ (54th World Theatre Day), Daily Excelsior 27th March 2016. Let me add to the knowledge of Mr Kaul and others, that there is no folktale of Kunjoo Chanchaloo in Duggar and the Dogri literature. It is simply a folk son of this belt, quite popular and being sung in Jammu and Himachal, as well. J&K State Academy have rightly preserved it in their collection of folk song volumes.
In early seventies i.e. more than 40 years ago, this song was used to knit a stage play titled Allhad Golli-Vir Sipahi to tell a tale (not folk tale) based on this folk song, but keeping in view the sanctity as well as purity of each and every word available in this folk song. First performance of this play was given by Friends Club Jammu on the eve of 2nd All India Dogri Writer’s Conference 1975, followed by repeated performances in Jammu, Himachal, Delhi and even a show was arranged in the Army campus on their demand. This stage play, totally in verse stands published in 1976.
In 2006, it was once again staged by Smooh Theatre in Abhinav Theatre, picked up by Doordarshan Srinagar, in the same format, but later on produced by DD Jammu in the shape of a serial. Smooh Theatre have also given its one or two repeated performances on public demand. Presently it is being taught to the students of MA Dogri, Jammu University and thus its second edition stands published in 2014.
In the light of above mentioned facts, it is a matter for consideration whether we appreciate or not the experimentation referred to by Mr Kaul in his article, but when I came to know about such a production during this years Drama Festival, I have written to the State Academy (the Organisers of this Festival) to find out how far it is justified in the name of experimentation. Reply still awaited.
Yours etc…
Narsingh Dev Jamwal
Balwal, Jammu
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