DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
jammu, Feb 8
Natrang organised an exclusive function here today to felicitate two State Awardees in the field of performing arts Kuldeep Raina and Pawan Verma. The felicitations were done by Natrang Director Padamshree Balwant Thakur. Speaking on the occasion Balwant said that it is a matter of pride for Natrang for the reason that two of the proud artists of Natrang have been conferred the most prestigiou State Award in the field of performing arts for the year 2024. Fact remains that both Kuldeep Raina and Pawan Verma started their career in theatre from Natrang and accomplished outstanding achievements in the field. This is also extremely gratifying that in the past 40 years of Natrang gave to the world best of the artists who took the name of this region to National and International heights through their outstanding achievements. Today majority of J&K artists who are outshining in Indian Cinema, Television Industry, Theatre and other professional fields are the proud products of Natrang Jammu.
Dr. Kuldeep Raina started his career as an actor from Natrang and later accomplished himself as a multifaceted performing artist who outstandingly excelled in every sphere of art particularly in Music. As a music director, he directed musical events for National and International events including International Theatre Festival of India organized by National School of Drama. As a scholar he has many research projects to his credit including ‘A Qualitative Study of Music and Personality’, ‘Music and its Positive effect on Mental Health’ and ‘Natyashastra’. In television, he has acted in over 200 TV serials and also has the credit of having received the National Junior Fellowship in Theatre from Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. Currently he is the cultural coordinator of the cluster University of Jammu, Member Board of Governors, North Zone Culture Centre, Member Expert Committee (Theatre) in Ministry of culture, and Convenor, Board of Studies (Music) Cluster University of Jammu. He is also the acting President of Sanskar Bharti, Jammu & Kashmir.
Pawan Verma who also started his career from Natrang Jammu is having the experience of more than 24 years in theatre. He acted in over 80 plays which were performed more than 700 times through-out the country and abroad too. Important among them are Bawa Jitto (Dogri), Mahabhoj (Dogri), Ghumayee (Dogri), Kauva Chala Hans Ki Chaal, Andhon Ka Hathi, Holi etc. He has also participated in more than 40 National Theatre Festivals in which major among are Bharat Rang Mahotsav, Nandikar International theatre festival, Jash-ne-Bachpan, Vivechana’s National theatre festival etc. organized by the prestigious Institutions like National School of Drama, Sangeet Natak Akademi, NZCC Patiala, Indian People Theatre Association (IPTA) etc.
Pawan has also the credit of having performed in many International Theatre Festivals like “Year of India in Russia” Festival- Russia 2009, Frankfurt International Theatre Festival- Frankfurt-2009, Commonwealth games, New Delhi-2010, International Cultural fest in Indian International Centre (IIC)-2011, 101th Indian Science Congress- 2013 and 8th Theatre Olympics -2018 etc. He also has received National Junior fellowship in literature from Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
