Art & Culture
A refreshing performance
SHIMLA- A refreshing performance was seen by theater lovers in form of “Light Camera and Action”, organized by The Beginners at the historic Gaiety Theatre.
The play was inspired by two writers’ work that is John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger (1956) and Anton Chekhov short story The Shoemaker and the Devil.
The entire play turned out to be a mixed experience as themes of both work failed to jell in the performance. On one hand a love triangle involving an intelligent and educated but disaffected young man who aims to make his mark in the field of performing art, his upper-middle-class, impassive wife, and her haughty best friend.
On the other it was “The Shoemaker and the Devil” is a humoristic morality tale about a shoemaker who dreams about selling his his soul to devil in return of becoming rich.
The play turned to be bit confusing for both the stories did not mix well. The Devil part caused interruption in the Look part. It was very difficult to find connection between both the stories. Devil part was all in dim light and the original humour faded out in the experiment.
Many people were of opinion that it could have been two plays rather than experimenting to merge the two stories together.
However, Pooja Rani and Chris did a wonderful job and made strong connection with the audience with their performance. All felt their joy and pain. On the other hand Jazz (stage name) failed to capture the intensity of hitch when Uday’s wife returns home after 2 years.
Whereas Devil part here portrayed as media, education, system and business, like said before was way too experimental and became bit heavy to receive. The climax dance of all gave impression of play’s conclusion and all of sudden a guy comes introducing director of play which again turns out to be Uday from other story; while audience is applauding Mukesh – the director of Light Camera.
The transfusion from one scene to another or rather to say from one story to other could have been better. TV commercials and serial was good filler in the play that gave a refreshing kick to spectators; giving them opportunity to laugh.
Considering the recent play fest it one can call this play a refreshing break and a good attempt; ignoring too much experiments. Had the advertizing banner been little better, many people wouldn’t have missed the opportunity to enjoy; as book was judged by its cover which gave failed to give a decent message.
Shimla– This clip of the the Singhtu dance, a captivating and popular folk tradition from Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, was captured at the Seepur Mela held in Mashobra recently.
It is a cherished jewel in the state’s rich and diverse cultural mosaic. This mesmerizing performance, steeped in ancient traditions, enjoys immense popularity, enchanting audiences on both local and international stages. In the Sirmauri dialect, “Singhtu” refers to a lion cub, and in Hindu mythology, the lion is revered as the sacred vehicle of Goddess Durga, lending profound spiritual significance to the dance.
Performed exclusively twice a year during Diwali and Ekadashi, the Singhtu dance is a ritualistic offering at temples and sacred sites, where it has been presented since time immemorial.
Performers don intricately crafted masks depicting animals such as lions, bears, leopards, and mythical forest beings, which are brought out from temples only for these occasions.
These masks, combined with the dancers’ rhythmic movements, vividly evoke Sirmaur’s ancient culture, transporting spectators to a bygone era while celebrating the region’s deep connection to nature.
Himachal Pradesh is a vibrant tapestry of unique traditions, with each district showcasing distinct folk dances, music, and rituals that reflect the state’s multifaceted heritage.
The Singhtu dance, blending spirituality, artistry, and environmental consciousness, stands as a powerful testament to this diversity. Beyond its aesthetic allure, it conveys a timely message of wildlife conservation and environmental preservation, resonating with global concerns.
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.
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