Lalit Gupta

JAMMU, Jan 13:  Today’s performance of Shakespeare’s Richard III, that concluded four-show series, would remain etched as unforgettable theatre bonanza for Jammuites for sheer excellence of professional  standards and memorable exhibition of acting skills by cast of young actors drawn from three regions of the state.
Directed by Asheish Nijhawan, the young director and son of the soil, the challenge of staging a Shakespearean play in Jammu was made possible with Rajkumari Jyotsana Singh, Advisor Amar Mahal Museum and Library, agreeing to the use of Amar Mahal as background set for the drama which is one of the great history themed plays by William Shakespeare.
The creative use of river front portion of Amar Palace with its meandering verandahs, first floor windows and terrace as natural setting for the play whose dominant character Richard is depicted as the evil hunchbacked Duke of Gloucester. He becomes King Richard III through a series of terrible acts. Richard kills off his enemies, his kinsmen, his wife and most of his supporters The Wars of the Roses between the Houses of York and Lancaster culminate in the Battle of Bosworth and the defeat of Richard by the Duke of Richmond, who became Henry VII, crying out “My kingdom for a horse.
Doing full justice to the Urdu translation of Shakespeare’s play, the team of competent actors, led by Viduat Jamwal of Birpur, as Richard III, gave a memorable performance to which the design of lights and background score played an integral role. Individual movements of actors, their groupings, placement of minimal props, perfect timings of special effect—all spoke of creativity of young director.
Produced under the banner of Natrang and Rangroots, the play was produced in a 35 day workshop conducted by Asheish Nijhawan with the support of National School of Drama New Delhi. A new history for Jammu theatre was also created with the same play being performed by two pair of actors alternatively since January 10, 2014.
Welcoming the august gathering Natrang Director Balwant Thakur said that such out of the world cultural happenings have all the potential to establish Jammu a global destination of theatre. Rajkumari Jyotsana Singh, Advisor Amar Mahal Museum and Library appreciated this initiative and assured all possible help for such endeavors aimed at promoting the talent of Jammu.
The cast of the play included  Gaurav Jamwal as Richard, Vickey Kaw as Clarence,  Susheel Raina as Hastings, Sajra Qadir as Anne2, Aarushi Thakur as Anne1, Gazalgeet Kour as Dutchess,Varun Sharma as Gray, Mahikshit Singh Langeh as Riverse,  Pankaj Verma as Stanley, Namit Dubey as Messenger, Shivam Manhas as Buckingham and Brakenberry, Neeraj Kant as King Edward, Shazia Batool as Elizabeth, Syed Mudassar Ali Shah as Arch Bishop, Manik Sharma as Prince York,  Gopi as Prince Edward, Rajan Thakyal as Mayor, Vickey Kaw as Catsby, Namit Dubey and Pankaj Verma as Citizens, Ashwani Bali as Father-1 Ravinder as Father-2 and Uplaksh Singh Kotwal as Richmond. The music of the play was scored by Uplaksh Singh Kotwal, Make-up by Mohit Sharma and the stage management was looked after by Mohammad Yaseen, Rahul Singh and Pankush Verma.
Prominent among the audience were Rajkumari Jyotsna Singh, Atul Goel, SSP Jammu, Lalit Gupta, Naveen Chopra and Nikhil Chopra, Internationally acclaimed Performing artist.

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Jan 13:         Air Marshal S S Soman, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command visited Air Force Station Jammu, today.
He was accompanied by his wife Rashmi Soman.  They were received by Air Commodore Prashant Patange and Mamta Patange.
Air Marshal interacted with officers, Air Warriors and civilian staff of Air Force Station Jammu. He inspected various sections and units and expressed great satisfaction over the way station is being maintained on the operations, maintenance and administrative fronts.
He expressed his approval at the professionalism of the personnel of the Air Force Station Jammu and urged them to achieve even higher standards in the service of the nation. Air Marshal also visited the snow capped forward locations.
Rashmi Soman visited the various programmes being undertaken by Air Force Wives Welfare Association.

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Jan 13: Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand today distributed orders among 881 education volunteers of Kashmir division who rendered their sincere and dedicated service in the field of education at an impressive function organised by the Education Department, Kashmir at SKICC.
Director, School Education, Kashmir, all CEOs, ZEOs, senior officers of Education Department, School Education Employees Association and beneficiaries attended the function.
Addressing the function, Deputy Chief Minister appreciated the work of Education Volunteers of the state who served the department with zeal and honesty. He hoped that the teachers will keep this spirit in future too and will continue to work for the betterment of the student community.
Tara Chand asked the teaching fraternity to put in all out efforts to upgrade the standard of education and make the students able to face the challenges and competitions at state, national and international level.
He asked officers to arrange parent-teacher meet every week as the liaison will benefit the students in their academic and extra-curricular activities.
Deputy Chief Minister further said that the Government is committed to continue the encouragement of honest and sincere employees by way of promotion and other concrete measures.
Director, School Education, Kashmir also spoke on the occasion and assured that more EVs will be promoted as teachers in near future.