Hindi Theatre Day 25 was celebrated in Agra with prominent personalities discussing the reflection of public sentiment in Hindi theatre. Professor Ramveer Singh, Arun Dang, and other experts emphasized the role of theatre in showcasing societal aspirations. Awards were presented to distinguished artists, and a memorable performance of ‘Pus Ki Raat’ was showcased.
Agra, Uttar Pradesh: The 25th Hindi Theatre Day was celebrated with grandeur in Agra, shedding light on the reflection of the public sentiment in Hindi theatre. The event, organized by the cultural institution Rang Leela, the movement for acid attack survivors SheRoes Hangout, and the Premkumari Sharma Smriti Sansthan, was dedicated to the theme “Hindi Theatre is the Mirror of Public Sentiment.” The occasion featured a series of insightful speeches, performances, and the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities from the world of theatre.
Professor Ramveer Singh’s Insight on Theatre and Society
The event kicked off with the renowned Hindi critic and former director of the Central Hindi Institute, Professor Ramveer Singh, who delivered an insightful address. He highlighted the intrinsic connection between theatre and society, stating, “The development of theatre in a region is reflective of the public sentiment and the social dynamics of that region.” He further emphasized that theatre in India during the freedom struggle mirrored the hopes and aspirations of the people. Professor Singh drew attention to how the public’s sentiments were directly translated into the plays of that time. He noted, “As India was envisioned by the people, that dream was vividly reflected in the plays they wrote.” He further elaborated that the Hindi-speaking belt, being the largest geographical area in India, produced plays of equally grand scale.
Arun Dang Reflects on the Influence of Independence on Theatre
Veteran writer and storyteller Arun Dang continued the conversation by reflecting on Agra’s role in the pre-independence era. He discussed how some of the notable playwrights from Agra, such as the great Prithviraj Kapoor, contributed to the theatrical world with plays deeply rooted in the Indian freedom struggle. Dang also referenced Prithviraj Kapoor’s famous Prithvi Theatre and how the themes of his plays resonated with the collective aspirations of post-independence India. The spirit of freedom and national progress was intricately woven into these theatrical works, embodying the evolving national consciousness of the country.
Discussions on the Modern-Day Theatre and the Marginalized Voices
Senior theatre artists, Professor Jyotsna Raghvanshi and Dr. Vijay Sharma, then discussed the demands of 21st-century theatre and its increasing focus on marginalized communities. They pointed out the challenges faced by modern theatre, noting that the genre has not moved beyond mythological and historical narratives in the past two decades. They expressed concern over the lack of representation of current societal voices in contemporary plays. Addressing the need for more inclusive narratives, they emphasized the importance of theatre that reflects the realities and aspirations of underprivileged sections of society.
Concerns Over Mythological Themes in Today’s Theatre
The event was presided over by Professor Vinita Gupta, the retired head of the Department of Mass Communication and Telecommunication at Delhi University. Professor Gupta expressed her regret over the lack of contemporary societal voices in today’s mythological plays. While these plays have their place in the cultural tapestry, she lamented the absence of themes that connect with the current public sentiment and the pressing issues of modern India.
The event was skillfully moderated by Professor Nasreen Begum, with the organizational leadership provided by Ashish Shukla and Rambharat Upadhyay. The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by senior theatre artist Manoj Singh, who expressed gratitude to all the attendees and contributors. The event’s welcome address was given by young theatre artist Himani Chaturvedi, who warmly welcomed the guests and participants.
Recognition of Kamlesh Lata Arya for Her Contribution to Nautanki
A significant highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Khalifa Phool Singh Yadav Award to Kamlesh Lata Arya, a senior Nautanki artist from Mathura. Unfortunately, due to health reasons, Kamlesh Lata Arya could not attend the event, and the award was graciously accepted by her son, Vijay Kumar Vidyarthi, on her behalf.
A Special Performance of ‘Pus Ki Raat’
The evening also featured a special performance by Rang Leela, which showcased a dramatic rendition of Premchand’s famous story Pus Ki Raat. The performance was a testament to the power of storytelling in theatre, with the direction by senior artist Anil Shukla and acting by Pratham Yadav. The audience was deeply moved by the powerful portrayal of rural India and the challenges faced by its inhabitants during the harsh winter.
A Gathering of Cultural Enthusiasts
The event was graced by a large number of art lovers, intellectuals, and theatre enthusiasts from the city. Notable attendees included Jyoti Khandelwal, Shalabh Bharti, Manisha Shukla, Bharatdeep Mathur, Abha Chaturvedi, Runu Dutt, Neeraj Jain, Dr. C.P. Rai, Akhilesh Dubey, Anil Sharma, Naresh Paras, Mahesh Dhakad, Sunayan Sharma, Romi Chauhan, Satyam Shukla, Girijashankar Sharma, Dilip Raghvanshi, Mannu Sharma, Anil Arora, Anand Rai, Abhijeet Singh, Brajendra Saxena, Tony Faster, Shashank Verma, Krishna Murari Vashishth, Ravi Prajapati, Rakesh Yadav, Kamaldeep, Ankit Upadhyay, Dr. Rajeev Sharma, and many more.
