Jhiri (Akhnoor), Nov 07: The legendary Dogri play “Bawa Jitto” once again captivated thousands at the main stage of Jhiri Mela 2025 on its second consecutive day, transporting audiences into a centuries-old tale of resistance and moral courage. Staged by Natrang Jammu, the production—penned by Late Prof. Ram Nath Shastri and directed by Padma Shri Balwant Thakur—brought to life the 15th-century saga of a peasant’s fight against oppression, right at the site where history itself unfolded.
The riveting performance recreated the story of Bawa Jitto, a farmer who sacrificed his life in protest against the exploitation of landlords. The presentation’s unique authenticity lay in its setting at Jhiri, the very land linked to the historical Bawa Jitto, giving spectators a rare blend of heritage and live theatre.
Director Balwant Thakur, addressing the audience, said that institutionalizing such cultural events with sustained support could transform the region into a global cultural destination. “Nowhere else in the world,” he noted, “can one witness a theatrical experience that so vividly reanimates a real historical episode from the 15th century.” He extended gratitude to Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Rakesh Minhas, IAS, and SDM Marh, Pallavi Mishra, IAS, for their facilitation and cooperation.
Over the past four decades, Natrang has presented more than 300 shows of Bawa Jitto across India, making it the country’s longest-running theatre production. This year also marks 21 years of Natrang’s uninterrupted performances of the play at the Jhiri Mela, reaffirming its status as a cultural mainstay of the region.
The drama traces Jitto’s tragic struggle for dignity. Driven from his village after a dispute with landlords, he rebuilds his life through toil on barren land—only to face betrayal and injustice once more. In a heart-wrenching finale, unable to endure tyranny, Jitto ends his life, followed by his daughter Gauri’s self-immolation in a moment of haunting poignancy.
The cast’s performances drew rounds of applause. Veteran actor Arvind Anand, in the title role, delivered an emotionally charged portrayal of the martyr-farmer, supported by Meenakshi Bhagat as Jojan, Madan Rangeela as Mehta Beer Singh, Subash Jamwal as Raja, Vijay Bhat as Sarpanch, and National Award-winning actor Anil Tickoo as Malli. Young Prial Gupta’s moving act as Gauri earned a standing ovation.
Supporting roles by Shivam Singh, Mohd. Yaseen, Kananpreet Kaur, and Palshin Dutta added depth, while a vibrant ensemble of emerging artists infused the stage with energy and realism. Behind the scenes, Neeraj Kant supervised production, with Sartaj Singh leading a 20-member backstage team. Lighting by Suraj Ganjoo and sound by Tilak Raj and Anshul Gupta provided a technical edge that heightened the play’s emotional resonance.
As the curtain fell, the applause lingered—an echo of both artistic excellence and cultural pride. For the people of Jammu, Bawa Jitto continues not just as a performance, but as a living reminder of their collective legacy of courage, justice, and devotion.
