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The Flight of Innocence”and “Gudiya”- staged at Gaiety

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Gaiety-Theatre

The magic of Oscar Wilde’s story The Nightingale and the Rose was bought alive on stage by Nav Yuvak Mandal in a form of a play that touched the hearts of all spectators and forced them to contemplate on the real meaning of Love on one hand where as another play “Gudiya” by Ab Theatre Group reflected on the modern day love where physical passions rule the situation.

For the theatre lovers this week Gaiety Theatre had lot to offer in the forms of two play that is “The Flight of Innocence” a play based on Oscar Wilde’s story The Nightingale and the Rose organized by Nav Yuvak Mandal, Bhalawog in association with Department of Language Art and Culture, Himachal, Vidyapeeth and H.P. State Aids Control Society on March 19 and 20 on one hand whereas on the other another play “Gudiya” by Ab Theatre Group, Shimla on March 22 and 23.

Both the plays had a common theme that is love but however the former was an allegorical fable of love, sacrifice and selfishness; just as with all of Wilde’s short stories this play too embodied strong moral values and is told with effervescence akin. It is the tale of a lovestruck student who must provide his lover with a red rose in order to win her heart. A nightingale overhearing his lament from a solitary oak tree is filled with sorrow and admiration all at once, and decides to help the poor young man.

She journeys through the night seeking the perfect red rose and finally comes across a rambling rose bush but alas, the bush has no roses to offer her. However, there is a way to MAKE a red rose, but with grave consequences.

However the latter reflected on the change of the physiology of any give female. The play dealt with evolution of character Gudiya over the years; changes as per natural law from childhood to adolescence till the time she reaches college where she falls for a guy. The play held mirror to the society especially reflected on the youth trend where love is more about physical relations, she is betrayed by her lover and lead to her tragic end by going insane for having abandoning the newborn child on the street which became a feast for stray dogs.

Symbolically play reflected on condition of women in society in general as they are often treated as objects and till the time they do not stand for themselves they will be continued to be abused.

Gaiety-Theatre3

The paid show of Flight turned out to be satisfying for both the parties as both got their share as for spectators in form of great entertainment and for group in form of quality audience. Considering it to be a debut play of the director Prabhat Sharma turned out to be a complete treat as it was a novel concept. The experiment with lights were good and it won’t be wrong to say that if their beginning is so promising then for sure they will elevate the standards of theatre here which over the years have been declining as most of the spectators said, “We hope to see more quality work from them and will not hesitate to pay from my pocket to watch their show if they continue to deliver what they have initially promised.”

The script was executed in heart touching manner and the message came across straight. Lot of experiment was done which gave a positive impact rather than hindering the concentration. Creating of characters may that be tree or cat all were done really well.
Nav Yuvak Mandal has shown people a new ray of hope for betterment as they are ready to experiment and explore the new horizons while many others are still stuck with the old tailor made scripts.

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On the other hand former production coming from the Group that has given theater audience a rich taste before; in their various plays or their repeats shows like Billay btayaate hai,; again the expectations were really high. This show was again the second show of the same production at the same venue however things could have been better in form of coordination as Deepka, another spectator said, “They bumped into each other which shifting positions considering the time gone in for rehearsal, I am sure it could have been executed more neatly.”

However the seriousness of theme can not be overlooked. Spectators found its presentation really good. The costumes the make up all were done really well. However the fade in and fade out at places did miss the timing.

While commenting on the show Sahil, one of the spectator said, “I have already seen this show before too when it was staged at Gaiety only last year. I found no improvement except for the increase in number of characters playing toys. The theme was heart touching but it lacked the intensity that was required to convey those emotions. The main prognostic seemed to have artificial laugh where talking about her dolls and I fail to understand which 11 year old speaks like total. ”

Art & Culture

Use Offerings Made at  Himachal’s Hindu Religious Institutions Only For Hindus, Employ Only Hindus: HP Govt

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offerings at himachal pradesh's religious places

Shimla-The Additional Chief Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Language, Art & Culture Department has issued a notification barring the use of offerings made at the Hindu religious places or institutions for non-Hindu Communities.

Directions in this regard have been issued to Commissioners (temple) under Section 27 of the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984.

“All the receipts or offerings including gold and silver of the Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments shall be used only for the purposes pertaining to the welfare and other activities relating to only Hindus. No receipts or offerings shall be used for the purposes associated with activities relating to Non-Hindus,” the notification said.

Further, now, no non-Hindu person would be given any sort of employment at the Hindu religious institutions/places.

“All the officers and officials including the personnel related to security etc. whether appointed or deputed or taken on outsourcing basis shall be out of the persons professing the Hindu religion only,” the notification said.

No further clarification was provided regarding the intended purpose of this move.

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Kullu Dussehra 2021: All Religious Ceremonies to be Allowed, But No Commercial and Cultural Events

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Kullu dussehra 2021

Shimla-The International Kullu Dussehra would be organised from 15th October to 21st October, 2021, the Himachal Pradesh Government informed today after holding a meeting regarding the same.

The HP Government has decided that all deities would be invited for the Dussehra festival. Orgnaization of all religious ceremonies would be allowed traditionally, but the cultural and commercial activities would not be held.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur presided over meeting of State Level Kullu Dussehra Committee. Directions were given to ensure proper security system, uninterrupted electricity supply and adherence of Covid-19 guidelines.

It was also decided in the meeting that Language, Art and Culture Department would provide an additional amount of Rs. 10 lakh to district administration Kullu for organising Kullu Dussehra festival.

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Art & Culture

Wah Re Corona: Himachali Folk Artist’s Lyrical Satire is Factual Rendition of India’s Agonizing Catastrophe

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wah re corona

Shimla-Otherwise blatantly vocal and distinctively mass-mobilizing government of India is suddenly in the most subdued self after its proclaimed victory over the deathly virus; participation in uncontrolled election rallies; and permitting maha melas. The stalwarts are in the hiding, while helpless citizens – who voted them into power not once but in landslide victories twice – are dying due to lack of oxygen, poor – unavailable – medical facilities, and the denial stance of the ignorant in the helm.

Drawing a comparison between the fatal coronavirus and the mismanagement of the entire situation by the appalling government; a Himachali folk artist has released a factually appropriate lyrical satire that will tickle your mind and leave you to imagine what has brought this catastrophe onto us. The song is written by Rameshwar Sharma and music by Lalit Sauta. 

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