DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
Samba, Sept 28
Natrang’s highly acclaimed play “Loktantra Ka Asli Mantra,” written by Padamshree Balwant Thakur and directed by Neeraj Kant, captivated audiences here today at the auditorium of Krishtu Jyoti Convent School,Samba. This performance is part of a traveling show series that began in District Anantnag, showcasing its rich narrative across various towns, including Bijbehara, Kokernaag, Surankote, Mendhar, Poonch, Rajouri, Nowshera, Sunderbani, Akhnoor, and RS Pura. With the performance today in Samba, Natrang completed 14 shows of the current series of ‘Loktantra Ka Asli Mantra’.
The event was graced by Sh. P.K. Pole, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer of Jammu and Kashmir, as the Chief guest. His presence underscored the play’s significance in promoting democratic values and civic engagement. The series has successfully brought thought-provoking theatre to the region, fostering a deeper understanding of democracy and its principles among the local populace.Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Rajesh Sharma (Deputy Commissioner, Samba), Vinay Kumar Sharma,( Senior Superintendent of Police, Samba), Harvinder Singh (Deputy District Election Officer, Samba), Jagdish Singh (Additional Deputy Commissioner. Samba), Kewal Krishan (Chief Education Officer, Samba), Ekshu Sharma (Assistant Director, Handicrafts Samba), Pranav Manhas (District Information Officer, Samba) and Kusum Chib & Sunaina Kotwal (Returning Officers).
Sponsored by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, and locally organized by the District Election Officer Samba through the District SVEEP team, Loktantra Ka Asli Mantra is a motivational play aimed at raising awareness about voting rights. Balwant Thakur has skilfully used local idioms, cultural expressions, and storytelling techniques to create a strong connection with audiences across different regions. The actors, trained to perform in the local dialects, have helped to ensure that the message resonates deeply with viewers, who readily identify with the local characters portrayed in the play.
Expressing his gratitude, Natrang Director Balwant Thakur thanked the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, for providing Natrang the opportunity to use theatre as a medium for a larger national cause. With its powerful narrative, Loktantra Ka Asli Mantra continues to inspire people to take an active role in democracy by exercising their right to vote.
The play ‘Loktantra Ka Asli Mantra’ opens with the aggression of the disillusioned, frustrated youth who are struggling to survive in the contaminated air of corruption, scandals and dishonesty. They do not see any hope in the future as their present is being rotten by the corrupt system. They want to devastate everything around them in rage but when questioned by an educated person that ‘what are they doing to come out of this unfortunate situation?. Busy in their illusionary world created by the social media, they are speechless as they just want the things to happen but are not ready to be part of that change and want everything without making any required effort. Terming them as the most vibrant human resource of the world, the educated person prompts them to come forward, take the command and change their fate. The most effective way of changing the fate of a country is the way of voting, this is the highly peaceful and effective way to bring big reforms of their choices. As the play proceeds, different age groups and varied sections of people are shown in satirical manner who have their petty reasons to not vote and also whom to vote. This ignorance and arrogance of the masses leaves huge space for the vested interests to exploit this situation. Through this play all the sections of society are prompted not to run away from their ultimate responsibility of voting for the stronger democracy of India. Vote has the only and ultimate power to change the fate of the country and everyone through this play is motivated to ensure that this right of voting of every citizen should not go waste. Let’s pledge to vote!
The artists who participated in the play Loktantra Ka Asli Mantra included Neeraj Kant, Subash Jamwal, Mohd. Yaseen, Vrinda Gujral, Brijesh Avtar Sharma, Vansh Pandotra, Vishal Sharma, Palshin Dutta, Mihir Gujral, Ananya Verma, Sanket Bhagat, Vansh Pandotra, Aadesh Dhar, Kushal Bhat, Lalita Sharma, Kananpreet Kaur, Pratibha Verma, Sanket Bhagat, Vansh Pandotraand Lal Mohd. The music of the play was operated by Mohd. Yaseen & Palshin Dutta.
