Lalit Gupta
JAMMU, June 20: Notwithstanding the sultry interior of K L Saigal, Hall, Shivani Cultural Society’s presentation of ‘Padaav’, the play in Hindustani, here today, turned out to be sensitive portrayal of the inner journey of women who wants to be treated as a person rather than an object of desire. The production was staged with financial assistance by Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi.
Written and directed by Vikram Sharma, the script of today’s play ‘Padaav’ – The Sojourn, was a collage of playwright’s earlier dramas with themes that commnet upon as to how female gender continues to suffer and abused under myriad social roles, and conditions in male dominated world.
The plot of the play was centered on a girl who often frequents a wayside restaurant. Attended to by Nandu, the steward, who serves her drinks, she unfolds the mystery of woman’s subjugation. In a candid admission she journeys along her own thought process of a woman’s reflection in the world. Oscillating in and out of the tumultuous lives of various historic as well as contemporary female characters and how their feministic integrity was trampled, she, who was about to end her life comes out strong after undergoing the litmus test of life, and decides to go on with business of life.
Neha Lahotra gave a scintillating performance in five different roles like Ladki, Kalpana, Divya, Bharti, Maya, while Vikram Sharma was impressive in the role of Shekhar Gupta. Other members of the cast included Ashish as Nandu, Rafeeq as Ladka, Rohitshiv as Abhilash, Muktesh as Rahul and Akshay as Azad. The Chorus and elements like Earth, Fire and Water were enacted by Yogeshwar, Pardeep and Gudiya.
The chief guest of the function was Anjali Sharma, In charge-Director, Doordarshan Kendra, while Balwant Thakur, Director, ICCR, Jammu Office, was the guest of honour.
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