Early Times Report
Reasi, Oct 31: The Dogri play “Rishtay” was performed by the Sangam Theatre Group in Reasi as part of the Repertory grant scheme from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India for 2023-24. The play was presented at the Ramleela open theater in Kotla.
The play, written by Shiv Kumar Sharma and directed by M. Akram Khan, revolves around the story of Ram Nath, a victim of modern society deeply influenced by Western culture. It reflects the materialistic nature of the present age. Ram Nath, once a prominent figure in his time, amassed wealth and invested in his three sons’ education. However, as they grew up and became successful, none of them cared for their ailing father. Ram Nath falls seriously ill with a continuous fever and pleads with each of his sons to call a doctor. Regrettably, they all refuse to help. In his final moments, he receives care from his compassionate neighbors, Karam Din, Khalda, S. Jaswant Singh Jassi, and his wife Preet. Ram Nath questions the societal preference for sons over daughters, as daughters typically exhibit more empathy and provide better care for their parents. Despite Karam Din’s efforts to call a doctor, Ram Nath passes away before medical help arrives.
The play featured Dharminder Rathore as Krishan, Lekh Raj as Ram Nath, Raja Aamir as Sanju, Sahil Kumar as Sunil, Tanav Rajput as Romesh, Arun Bhagat as Anil, Kuldeep Singh as Karam Din, Anu Devi as Khalda, Karan Mengi as Jaswant (Jassi), Geeta Devi as Preet Kour, and Nazim Ali as the Doctor. The backstage team included Mohinder Singh for music, Rashad Khan for set design, M. Akram for makeup, Neha Chuhan for costumes, Agar Khan for lighting, and Raja Sohail for photography.
The play addressed poignant themes of family dynamics, generational differences, and the care of aging parents, shedding light on societal values and norms. It resonated with the audience, including Vijay Kumar Sarpanch, Subash Chander Panch, locals, and senior citizens, who witnessed the performance. Such cultural endeavors play a vital role in fostering discussions and reflection on social issues. |
