Art & Culture
“Mukhoote” staged at Gaiety
Something is better than nothing is the only positive hope we people can have when it comes to plays staged in Shimla.
People of Shimla got an opportunity to witness the magic of Saadat Hassan Manto in the form of a play – “Mukhoote” an adaptation of Karvat; staged by KBDS theater group Shimla at the historic Gaiety Theatre.
The story of the play revolved around a prostitute Sundri, who comes to live in a locality and is, looked down upon by most of the people. Shekh Abdullah Khan, who is considered to be most virtuous man, invites her to dine with his family but she insults him feeling tormented by being accepted as normal human. Shekh was of opinion that he can make Sundri live a righteous life too. Finally when Sundri too starts to believe in the goodness of man but her trust shatters to ground when Shekh tries to molest her and is killed by his own daughter.
Considering the play to be an adaptation of famous work there was too much experiment done. The entire ending was changed as in original story Shekh continues to feed like a maggot on Sundri’s flesh to satisfy his need but here he was murdered by his own daughter. The reaction to this major change was mixed one as people who have read the original script felt it was challenging the intellect of great man whereas others felt it was a new message that needs to spread.
There was no uniformity in language used, sometimes it was Hindi other time it was Urdu and considering the Muslim backdrop of the Shekh it was not apt.
Too much many scenes demanded set change and on first day the whiskey bottle that was stage property in the house of Sundri kept on dressing table was still seen on the same spot in the house of Shekh the so called pious man before the climax. There is a great need to focus on all small aspects too for making any production a success.
The dialogue delivery at many places was too flat without any emotions and the daughter coming on stage and stabbing her father was too sloppy and lousy. There was hardly any panting up of emotions that can lead anyone to murder and that too one’s own father.
In the last after cast introduction, while thanking note, a foreign spectators where extended a special thanks by the comparer which definitely does not fit in, for natives are no fool to have given their valuable time and money.
No doubt the trend of paid shows is a welcome change but one should be careful that people do not feel robbed of their money. When one is being asked to pay their experience should be a memorable one.
Art & Culture
Use Offerings Made at Himachal’s Hindu Religious Institutions Only For Hindus, Employ Only Hindus: HP Govt
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.
Art & Culture
Kullu Dussehra 2021: All Religious Ceremonies to be Allowed, But No Commercial and Cultural Events
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.
Art & Culture
Wah Re Corona: Himachali Folk Artist’s Lyrical Satire is Factual Rendition of India’s Agonizing Catastrophe
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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