Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 4: Natrang, the renowned theater group, unveiled their latest Hindi devised and improvised play, ‘Mera Ghar Mera Sapna,’ at the Natrang Studio Theatre in its weekly Sunday Theatre series. Directed and devised by Neeraj Kant, the play delves into the challenges faced by laborers who tirelessly build homes for others while their own dreams of having a place to call their own remain unfulfilled. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of laborers engaged in a housing project, highlighting the journey of a young couple working together. The couple transitions from love to married life, holding onto the dream of settling down and building their own home. As their struggle intensifies, circumstances worsen when the homeless couple welcomes a child into their lives.
The play sheds light on the harsh reality faced by common poor inhabitants when influential figures push for new developmental projects in the name of modern urbanization. The system often labels them as thieves, illegal encroachers, criminals, or even terrorists, resulting in the forceful eviction of these marginalized communities. The production vividly portrays a police party entering houses, searching, and forcibly removing residents.
Amid communal riots that destroy many houses, people are compelled to live in relief camps. The female protagonist yearns to return to her old colony, where people of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds coexist. However, her husband opposes this idea, insisting on building a house within his own faith community. The narrative takes a turn when authorities, backed by a bulldozer, attempt to evict the couple from their unauthorized colony. United in their resolve, the residents stand against injustice, leading to a confrontation that eventually forces the authorities to address their concerns.
The Natrang young artists who brought the play to life included Sanket Bhagat, Vishal Sharma, Chaitanaya Shekhar, Vandana Thakur, Kushal Bhat, and Mehak Singh. The production featured impactful lighting design by Neeraj Kant, while Mehak Chib scored the music. The show’s seamless coordination was overseen by Mohd. Yaseen.
“Mera Ghar Mera Sapna” serves as a poignant commentary on societal issues, urging audiences to reflect on the struggles faced by urban laborers and the resilience required to overcome societal injustices. |
