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Hindi play ‘Ek Dhoop Safed Si’ staged at JU

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 9/15/2012 12:24:04 AM

Jammu, Sept 14: A Hindi play ‘Ek Dhoop Safed Si’ was staged in Rajinder Singh Auditorium at Jammu University today under the direction of Rajneesh Gupta, also its writer. On the occasion, Jasbir Singh, Chairman Cultural Society Jammu said that the play was all about the depiction of numerous social issues which have greatly affected our society today. He also elaborated on the presence of Theatre culture and the plays prevalent in the State since ancient times. Talking about the play he said that in future also, the group will organize similar plays in the Auditorium.
While the lighting was of an ordinary quality, with the focus on the whole Hall instated of the Dais, the power pack performance by the protagonists of the play covered up the glaring loophole. In the middle of the play, the electricity supply went off with the result that the characters began to perspire yet they remained unaffected, continuing with the tempo of the play.
The play is all about the problems and the longings the parents today face while rearing up their children. In short, it is poignant tale of a couple who wait endlessly for their ungrateful son whom they had nurtured lovingly. The leading lady of the play, Savitri is shown lying on the cot while the role of the older person was played with aplomb by Rajesh Raina. The older person, Pramod has been a successful Accounts Officer in his heydays. The couple is shown waiting for 15 years for their son who has gone abroad in search of greener pastures. They gaily remember his childhood antics along with their own adult life which was full of peace and joy.
In a flashback mode, they both recall about the long struggle which they had to undergo marrying against the wishes of their elders. The man, Pramod is shown in a thoughtful mood. Savitri remembers taunts from her mother-in-law regarding her failure to bring a son in the world. She remembers how the village women used to taunt her, ogling at her with questioning eyes. They both regale themselves with the ups and downs of their life and suddenly coming back to the topic of their son, Pramod accuses Savitri of being too repressive with the latter and as a result his leaving the home forever. But, Savitri defends her decision by saying that this kind of exile is faced by every one if one has to progress in his or her life.
They both have heard about his getting married to a foreign girl and are very upset over the fact that their own blood hid facts from them. At the same time, they both wonder what might have happened to Anu, a native girl whom they longingly envisioned as their daughter-in-law. The father in a jestful mood says that he had tried his best to make his son see qualities in that girl but he was interested elsewhere (his career, aspirations etc).
Suddenly, the couple sees a glint of hope in the worldwide Recession and in the fact that Corporate India is opening up new sectors in the country. They somehow see their prodigal son coming back to his native land and begin to hallucinate on his possible arrival. Towards the climax of the play, the couple are shown so fed up with their lives that they propose to kill each either by various means.
As if some divine element is at play, the mother, Savitri suddenly pre-supposes her son’s angry insinuations against her and her husband. His son’s outbursts are heard echoing throughout the Hall as if accusing them both for having been responsible for his repression. He is now a free bird in a land of his dreams and thus justifies his going away.
The mother is calmer now and comforts her husband about the whole thing as she is now certain that whatever happened was for good, as they both would have been subjected to their son’s outbursts and anger for their whole lives. At this point, Pramod says “Savitri, see how beautiful the morning outside is, ‘Dhoop Safed Si Ho Gayi Hai” and they both exit the dais.
The play concluded with the vote of thanks by the host and later mementoes were presented to the play’s cast including the role of Savitri played by Santosh Sangra. Mementoes were also presented to Suresh Kumar who played the role of Son and the writer, Rajneesh Gupta along with the supporters. Suresh Kumar and Sanjeev Mehta and Make-up person were also felicitated with the awards by the Chairman on the occasion.