 Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 27: Natrang, renowned for its theatrical brilliance, brought forth a captivating Hindi play titled 'Aag Ka Tamasha' as part of its weekly 'Sunday Theatre' series. Penned by Giriraj Sharan Aggarwal and directed by Neeraj Kant, the play showcased a well-crafted narrative interwoven with instances of comedy and stage action, resonating with diverse age groups within the audience.
Set in a bustling marketplace, the play introduces a Policeman on the search for Fakir Muhammad, also known as Jhunjhuna Qawwal's residence. Despite inquiring among the throngs of people in the street, the Policeman struggles to find his exact location. Eventually, a man guides him to Jhunjhuna's home. Mistaking the Policeman for an invitation to a commissioned Qawwali performance, Jhunjhuna Qawwal passionately presents his repertoire of Qawwalis, captivating the Policeman's attention. However, when the Policeman recalls his true purpose, he promptly escorts Jhunjhuna to the police station.
At the police station, it is revealed that a complaint has been lodged against Jhunjhuna for allegedly setting fire to Muftlal Beedi Store, resulting in significant financial loss. Jhunjhuna asserts that his art acts as a fire extinguisher, not an arsonist. His wife, Bulbuli Begum, clarifies that they were rehearsing a Qawwali titled "Har Dil Mein Mohabbat Ki Hum Aag Laga Denge" that evening. The plot thickens as Ahe ji, the poet behind the Qawwali, is also summoned. Both Jhunjhuna and Ahe ji find themselves charged with conspiracy to set the Beedi store on fire.
In the courtroom, the judgment emphasizes that the notion of 'Love' embedded in the Qawwali is a rarity in contemporary times. The verdict declares that laws exist to punish, not reward, those who spread messages of peace and love through artistic expressions. The play featured Natrang's young talents, including Chirag Anand, Vedhant Suri, Mehak Singh, Sumit Bandaral, Chaitanaya Shekhar, Abhimanyu Choudhary, Harsh Dogra, and Nikhil Sharma, who delivered commendable performances. The lighting design and execution were carried out by Neeraj Kant, while Vanshika Pandoh designed the play's publicity. The show's coordination was led by Mohd. Yaseen, and the presentations were overseen by Sushant Singh Charak.
Natrang's rendition of 'Aag Ka Tamasha' not only entertained the audience but also engaged them in contemplation, illustrating the power of art to convey messages of love and peace. |
