JAMMU: On the eve of World Theatre Day, the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) presented the Dogri play ‘Jasma’ performed by the students of the Department of Performing Arts, Cluster University Jammu at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu.
On the occasion, renowned theatre personalities Balwant Thakur, Mohan Singh, Deepak Kumar, Ayash Arif and Kumar A. Bharti were felicitated by the Chief Guest, Brij Mohan Sharma, Principal Secretary Culture in recognition of their valuable contribution to the field of theatre.
Ankur Mahajan, Registrar, Cluster University of Jammu, Dr. Monika Sharma, Dean, School of Humanities and Liberal Arts, Kuldeep Raina, Coordinator Department of Performing Arts, Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL and Sonali Arun Gupta, Additional Secretary, JKAACL.
In his address, Brij Mohan Sharma appreciated the efforts of JKAACL and the Department of Performing Arts for promoting theatre and regional languages through meaningful productions. He said that theatre is a powerful medium of cultural expression and plays an important role in preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Harvinder Kour, Secretary, JKAACL, in her welcome address spoke about the significance of World Theatre Day and highlighted the role of theatre in society as a medium of social awareness, cultural preservation and creative expression. She appreciated the contribution of theatre artists and institutions working for promotion of theatre in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Jasma” is an adaptation of the renowned Gujarati play “Jasma Odan” written by eminent theatre personality Shanta Gandhi. The play was translated into Dogri by the legendary theatre figure of Jammu, Kavi Rattan Sharma, giving it a distinct regional flavour and linguistic identity.
“Jasma Odan” is based on a popular Gujarati folk legend narrating the story of Jasma, a woman of unwavering commitment to marital fidelity and personal dignity. In the present production, the narrative has been completely reimagined within the Dogra landscape. The folk tradition of Haran has been incorporated in place of Bhavai, along with rich cultural and religious symbols of the Jammu region thus transforming the play into a vibrant expression of Dogra ethos.
The strength of the play lies in its profound thematic depth. Beyond being a folk tale or a tragedy, it offers a layered exploration of gender dynamics, social hierarchy, justice and cultural identity. The production is jointly directed by faculty members Dr. Abhishek Bharti and Aparna Kapoor, while the music has been composed by Vishal Pandita, faculty of the department.
