 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 8: Balwant Thakur's popular Dogri play "GATT" took center stage at Deewan-e-Aam, Mubarakh Mandi, Jammu, as part of Natrang's weekly theatre series 'Sunday Theatre.' The play, based on Krishna Chander's renowned Urdu classic short story 'Khadda,' serves as a powerful satire on the erosion of human values.
Balwant Thakur's contemporary adaptation of the play resonated with the audience, who found themselves instantly connected to its themes. The performance was met with enthusiastic applause as it delivered hard-hitting satirical commentary.
"GATT" unfolds the narrative of people avoiding their responsibilities and passing them on to others while indulging in empty rhetoric, claiming to be saviors of the suffering masses. This theme is symbolized by a person trapped in a ditch, pleading for help that goes unanswered. Various characters, including surveyors, young men, religious leaders, police officers, political leaders, and a foreigner, pass by the person in distress, offering excuses and pleas for their inability to extend assistance.
The unemployed youth are depicted as too engrossed in their quest for romantic pursuits to lend a hand. The 'Sadhu' offers blessings but fails to take practical action. The police officer lodges an FIR but knowingly directs the victim to the police station, ensuring he remains stuck in the ditch. The foreigner inquires about the person's choice between India and Pakistan, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
The play's climax becomes more dramatic when a government minister, responding to public complaints about deteriorating road conditions, visits the area. Instead of helping the trapped man, the public works department workers place wooden planks over the ditch to create a stage for the minister's public speech. The minister touts his development initiatives, criticizing his opponents for politicizing the issue. After the public meeting concludes, the planks are removed, but no one pays attention to the man still in the ditch. The slogans of uplifting the poor fade away with the dusty wind.
The play ultimately highlights the suffering of the marginalized masses, who continue to endure without assistance from those in power, despite celebrating decades of India's Independence.
Natrang actors who brought "GATT" to life included Chirag Anand, Mahikshit Singh, Mohd. Yaseen, Brijesh Avtaar Sharma, Aadesh Dhar, Sanket Bhagat, Kushal Bhat, Kananpreet Kaur, Sumit Singh Bandaral, Vishal Sharma, Vansh Pandotra, and Abhimanyu Choudhary. The performance was coordinated and conducted by Neeraj Kant.
The play's thought-provoking themes and powerful performances left the audience with much to contemplate as they reflected on the decay of human values and the plight of the less fortunate in society. |
