DH NEWS SERVICE
jammu, May 24
Popular Dogri play “Gatt,” written by noted theatre personality Balwant Thakur and directed by eminent theatre director Neeraj Kant, was staged at Natrang Studio Theatre under Natrang’s weekly theatre series “Sunday Theatre.” The play, based on celebrated writer Krishna Chander’s famous Urdu short story “Khadda,” presented a sharp and thought-provoking satire on the gradual decline of human values and social responsibility in contemporary society.
The performance drew theatre lovers, artists and cultural enthusiasts who appreciated the meaningful presentation and its strong social message. Through satire, humour and emotional intensity, the play highlighted the plight of ordinary people who continue to suffer due to apathy, negligence and the failure of institutions and society to respond to their struggles.
The storyline revolves around a common man who accidentally falls into a ditch and desperately seeks help to come out. However, instead of receiving support, he is ignored, exploited or offered excuses by different sections of society. The play symbolically portrays how individuals and institutions often avoid their responsibilities while making lofty claims about serving the people and improving society.
As the drama unfolds, several characters pass by the helpless man trapped inside the ditch. Surveyors, unemployed youth, religious figures, police personnel, politicians and even a foreign visitor encounter him, yet none of them genuinely attempts to rescue him. Each character represents a different section of society and reflects its priorities, hypocrisy and indifference towards the suffering of the common man.
The unemployed youth are portrayed as being too occupied with their personal distractions to pay attention to human suffering. A religious preacher blesses the trapped man and offers prayers instead of practical help. A police officer mechanically registers a complaint and advises the victim to visit the police station, fully aware that the man cannot escape the ditch on his own. A foreign woman questions him about political divisions and identities while ignoring his immediate distress. The satire reaches its peak when a minister visits the area after public complaints regarding poor road conditions. Instead of rescuing the trapped man, officials from the public works department place wooden planks over the ditch to create a temporary stage for the minister’s speech. The minister then delivers a grand address praising his government’s achievements and criticizing opponents for allegedly spreading negativity for political gain.
Once the political gathering concludes, the stage is dismantled and the man remains abandoned in the ditch. The slogans about development, upliftment of the poor and public welfare gradually fade away, symbolizing the continued neglect of ordinary citizens despite decades of independence and promises of progress.
In the final scene, a person from the audience steps forward and appeals to society to help the common man who still struggles for dignity, justice and support even after seventy-eight years of India’s Independence.
The conclusion leaves the audience reflecting deeply on the condition of the poor and marginalized sections of society.
The powerful performances by the Natrang actors added immense depth and realism to the play. Neeraj Kant portrayed the role of the political leader, while Pawan Verma played the trapped common man. Other actors included Akash Wadhwan, Nikshaya Mahajan, Arnav Dhotra, Goutam Rattan, Kushal Bhat, Aadesh Dhar, Mohd. Yaseen and Mahikshit Singh, each delivering convincing performances that enriched the narrative.
The lighting design executed by Neeraj Kant and the presentations managed by Kushal Bhat further enhanced the theatrical experience, making “Gatt” a memorable and impactful production for the audience.
