 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 9: In collaboration with the Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust, Natrang presented the Hindi play 'The Uncrowned Poet' based on the life of legendary Dogri writer Kunwar Viyogi, a Sahitya Academy Awardee. The play was showcased at Abhinav Theatre in Jammu as part of the International 8th Kunwar Viyogi Utsav. Written by Aarushi Thakur Rana and directed by budding theatre director Gauri Thakur, the play received applause for its direction and presentation.
The International 8th Kunwar Viyogi Utsav 2023 is being celebrated worldwide in locations such as New Jersey, London, Melbourne, Paris, New Delhi, and Jammu. The event is organized by the Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust, which aims to promote, preserve, and curate various cultural aspects of the Jammu region, including Basohli miniature art, Bhakh folk, jewellery, Dogri attire, and Dogri and English poetry by Kunwar Viyogi.
The trust's mission is to create multicultural showcases that offer opportunities for youth to realize their ambitions and promote academic exploration and insight to connect Dogri literature with global intellectual sensitivity.
'The Uncrowned Poet' dramatically portrays the life of the famous Dogri poet Randhir Singh Jamwal, known as Kunwar Viyogi. It highlights his personal trials and tribulations as an aspiring poet, passionate lover, benevolent brother, and loving son. Kunwar Viyogi's journey from a dedicated poet to an Air Force officer is depicted, along with the challenges he faced in his military career and personal life, including the untimely deaths of his parents and wife.
Despite facing multiple hardships, Kunwar Viyogi continued to create poetry. His story exemplifies the passion of an artist, the desires of a lover, and the patriotism of a serviceman. Kunwar Viyogi's life serves as an inspiration, showcasing his high morals, resilience, and self-worth.
The play concluded with the felicitation of the young director, Gauri Thakur, by the Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust.
The play featured outstanding performances by artists who received appreciation from the audience. The cast included Neeraj Kant as Kunwar Viyogi (Old), Raghunandan Singh Charak as Kunwar Viyogi (Young), Sanket Bhagat as Kunwar Viyogi (Child), and others who portrayed various roles in the play.
Prominent guests at the event included Maj Gen Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, Kanta Andotra, former MLA and President of Dogra Swabhiman Sangathan, Poonam Singh Jamwal (Founder, Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust), Brig. Goverdhan Singh Jamwal (President, Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust), and Padmashree Balwant Thakur (President, Natrang).
The play 'The Uncrowned Poet' offered a glimpse into the life of Kunwar Viyogi, celebrating his contributions to Dogri literature and his inspirational journey of resilience and creativity. |
