 Early Times Report
JAMMU, May 15: The ultimate cultural movement of Jammu & Kashmir popularly known as 'NATRANG' completed 40 years of its existence today. This is the cultural institution which gave a new cultural identity to this part of the world globally, tirelessly worked day and night to become the most sought after cultural destination of India. With over record 7,200 events to its credit, Natrang created a history for having participated over 350 national/International cultural/theatre festivals. Founder Director Natrang, Padamshree Balwant Thakur expressed his heartiest gratitude to everyone who contributed immensely for the growth and development of this brand called 'Natrang'. He further said that in last 40 years, through the selfless contribution of thousands of its associates, Natrang has brought the J&K theatre to the National and International limelight and its highly acclaimed plays which vibrated the theatre world and proudly travelled the whole length and breadth of the country and also crossed the boundaries of India as well and won appreciation in Russia, Germany, U.K., Singapore, Turkey, Hungary, Poland, South Africa, Mauritius, Central Asia and UAE and thus established a globally acknowledged brand called NATRANG. This organization has been highly instrumental in giving a new cultural and intellectual identity to this part of the country and revolutionized the cultural life of the place through its out of the world creative initiatives. The 41st foundation day marked the celebrations with a presentation of Natrang's highly acclaimed Dogri play 'Suno Eh Kahani' at Abhinav Theatre Jammu. Written and directed by Balwant Thakur, this one of the most popular play of Natrang featured senior Natrang actors viz., Neeraj Kant, Anil Tickoo, Sanjeev Gupta, and Pankaj Sharma who have been performing this play since the last 30 Years. They were supported by Rahul Singh, Meenakshi Bhagat, Mahikshit Singh, Shivam Singh, Adesh Dhar, Vishal Sharma, Mihir Gujral and Kushal Bhat.While narrating the 40 years of eventful journey of Natrang, Balwant Thakur shared few inspiring movements which were instrumental in maintaining the consistency of its continuous growth and development. Prior to the inception of Natrang in Jammu, this region never witnessed the presence of a professionally managed cultural institution. Despite having seen lots of ups and downs, Natrang never stopped working even in challenging times. There is not even a single day in 40 years when Natrang was not working. On the occasion he thanked his wife Deepika Thakur and daughters Aarushi and Gauri for supporting and strengthening his mission wholeheartedly. Fact remains that Natrang has been highly instrumental in giving a new flip to the cultural life of this region and shaped the career of many aspiring actors/directors and young professionals. Natrang pioneered in introducing Children Theatre, Theatre Camp, Weekly 'Sunday Theatre', 'Theatre Laboratory', 'Theatre Repertory', 'Script Bank', 'Documentation Centre' and 'Mega Productions' (Featuring over 500 performers). Natrang was established on 15th May, 1983 with the presentation of two unique short plays 'Neeli Jheel' and 'Nanhen Kandhey Pair' directed by Balwant Thakur at Abhinav Theatre Jammu. The actors who featured in the first performance of Natrang included Vijay Atri, Aasha Arora, Arvind Anand, Mohan Singh, Prabodh Jamwal and Arun Sharma. In 40 years, the plays which vibrated the theatre scene of the country included 'Bawa Jitto' 'Ghumayee' 'Mahabhoj' 'Aap Hamare Hain Kaun' 'Chauraha' 'Poster' 'Mere Hisse Ki Dhoop Kahan Hai' 'Sainyan Bhaye Kotwal' 'Raktbeej' 'Comedy of Terrors' 'Suno Eh Kahani' 'Kanjoos' 'Holi' 'Mind Games' 'Richard III' 'Choona Hai Aasmaan' 'Mata Ki Kahani', "Gulab Gatha', 'Rangla Jammu' and 'Kaun Nachaye Naach' etc. Natrang has produced over two thousand actors and many have made their mark in films and TV world as well. Prominent among them include Bhanu Goswami, Anjali Abrol, Sunil Palwal, Harish Khanna, Neelu Dogra, Tajasvi Sharma, Ekta Kaul, Mansi Sharma, Vikram Sharma, Mridul Suri, Nariender Sachchar, Arvind Anand, Mohit Sharma, Pankush Verma, Ashok Verma, (Vrinda Gujral and Satyam Mehra, Child Artists). In addition to having Seven pass-outs of National School of Drama and Seven Masters in Dramatics, Natrang sent four for International studies which included Harish Khanna (London School of Acting and Speech), Aeishesh Nijhawan (London International School of performing Arts) Aarushi Thakur (University of Leicester, UK & Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London) and Vikram Sharma (Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, Manhattan, New York USA). Out of near about 7200 shows by Natrang in Forty years, the credit of maximum number of participation is shared by Neeraj Kant, Anil Tickoo, Suresh Kumar, Arvind Anand, Sanjeev Gupta, Vikrant Sharma, Sumeet Sharma, Pankaj Sharma, Juhi Singh, Sat Salarbi, Vijay Bhat, Dimple Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Mohd. Yaseen, Rahul Singh, Gaurav Jamwal, Subhash Jamwal, Gauri Thakur and Sajra Qadir and in these years over forty actors of Natrang brought National/ International honours and acclaims. From National scholarships to International fellowships. |
