 Early Times Report
Jammu, Nov 26: History has been scripted by three exceptionally talented young artists of Natrang Jammu, who have clinched three out of the total six national awards in the field of theatre acting at the prestigious Jhankriti 2025. The awards were instituted by the World Forum for Art and Culture—the cultural wing of The Art of Living, Bengaluru—under its national-level performing arts competition ‘Jhankriti’, in which thousands of young performers from across India participated. Notably, in the top twelve finalists, four belonged to Natrang Jammu, reaffirming the institute’s reputation as a powerhouse of talent.
It is a proud and historic moment for Jammu and the region’s art fraternity that the three young stars—Supria Gorka, Advik Sharma, and Viyaan Sharma—have brought unmatched glory to the region by emerging as winners in the Final Round of Jhankriti 2025, the fourth edition of India’s largest virtual performing arts competition.
Congratulating the achievers, Padmashri Balwant Thakur, Director of Natrang, described the accomplishment as a “momentous achievement and a reflection of Natrang’s unwavering commitment to nurturing young talent.” He added that Natrang has long upheld the highest standards of training, and the recognition by the World Forum for Art and Culture has once again affirmed the institute’s national and global standing. He also extended heartfelt compliments to Sumeet Sharma, head of Natrang’s Children and Youth Wing, and to the parents of the awardees for their dedicated efforts and support.
Among the national awardees, Viyaan Sharma secured the top position in the country, while Supria Gorka, a National Scholarship holder, and Advik Sharma each earned third positions in their respective categories, marking a sweep of excellence for the institution.
Jhankriti 2025 stands as a vibrant celebration of India’s cultural heritage and the Art of Living’s commitment to fostering unity through the arts. Serving not only as a performance platform but also as a national cultural bridge, Jhankriti provides young aspirants a space to express creativity, share traditions, and learn from eminent maestros. Thousands of participants from diverse corners of the country progress through multiple rounds to reach the prestigious national finals.
By winning these coveted awards, Natrang’s young artists have reiterated the institute’s leadership in futuristic theatre training and its pivotal role in shaping India’s next generation of performers.
For more than 35 years, Natrang has been a pioneering force in Indian theatre. Its regular, structured theatre programs for children and youth have inspired and trained thousands of young minds. Many alumni have excelled not only in performing arts but also in fields such as civil services, business, engineering, medicine, literature, and academia—reflecting the far-reaching impact of Natrang’s holistic approach.
Natrang’s children’s theatre initiative—conceptualized by Padmashri Balwant Thakur and further strengthened by Sumeet Sharma—has evolved into a national model of excellence. The institute’s unique training modules emphasize confidence-building, creativity, discipline, public speaking, spontaneity, collaboration, and self-expression, empowering young dreamers to discover their voices.
Over the decades, Natrang has staged thousands of performances, conducted festivals, workshops, and cultural exchanges, and taken Jammu’s theatre movement to national and international platforms. Its pathbreaking productions, commitment to cultural preservation, and innovations in children’s theatre have positioned Natrang as one of India’s most respected performing arts institutions. |
