 Early Times Report
Jammu, June 22: Natrang presented a thought-provoking new Hindi play ‘Ghor Kalyug’, written and directed by Neeraj Kant, as part of its popular weekly theatre series Sunday Theatre. The play drew a powerful response from the audience for its bold commentary on the emotional detachment and erosion of traditional values in contemporary society.
The play revolves around Rajan, a media professional, and his family's emotionally distant reaction to the death of his ailing father. Upon waking up late one morning, Rajan is informed by his wife, Savita, that his father has passed away. Rather than showing grief, Rajan responds with calculated pragmatism, calling a funeral assistance committee to handle the last rites and delegating all responsibilities to Savita and their servant, Bhola.
As the story unfolds, the audience is drawn into the contrasting reactions within the household. Rajan’s young daughter, Veera, is deeply affected and refuses to go to school, while Savita manages the situation with cold efficiency, relying solely on paid services. Rajan, meanwhile, faces emotional conflict at work, where his boss dismisses his father’s death as irrelevant in the cutthroat world of sensational media. His attempt to give personal grief professional relevance is shut down, highlighting the growing dissonance between human emotions and public apathy.
The play’s climax intensifies at home when even the father's ashes are returned by the funeral service agency. Frustrated, Rajan suggests finding an organization for ash immersion.
But when Bhola is asked to carry out the task, he refuses, condemning the family's complete outsourcing of intimate rituals. Bhola’s monologue becomes the emotional high point of the play, as he mourns the disappearance of human connection, cultural responsibility, and emotional authenticity in modern life. Declaring his wish to escape this heartless "Kalyug," Bhola leaves the audience with a stark and stirring critique of today’s mechanical existence.
Today's play was decorated with the participation of Pawan Verma (Recipient of J&K State Award and National Fellowship from Ministry of Culture) who performed brilliantly.
Others who have significant performances included Aryan Sharma, Adaksh Bagal, Kushal Bhat, Prerna Sharma, Priyal Ashok Gupta and Kartik Kumar. The lights of the play were executed by Neeraj Kant and the show was coordinated by Mohd. Yaseen. |
