KATRA, Oct 20: Natrang Jammu’s acclaimed musical dance-theatre production ‘Mata Ki Kahani’ concluded its successful run at the Auditorium of the Spiritual Growth Centre, Katra, with its 16th consecutive presentation during the Navratra Festival-2026 on Tuesday.
The production brought the sacred legend of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi to life through a captivating blend of theatre, music and dance, drawing enthusiastic appreciation from audiences throughout its run.
Prof. Pragti Kumar, Vice Chancellor of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, was the Chief Guest at the concluding performance. He appreciated the initiative of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, for presenting the production as part of the festival. He also commended Natrang for combining spiritual storytelling with artistic excellence, impressive stagecraft and engaging performances.
The final presentation received an enthusiastic response, with audiences applauding the performers repeatedly. The choreography, musical compositions, visual design and expressive acting created a compelling theatrical experience, highlighting the spiritual significance of the revered legend.
Conceived, scripted, designed and directed by Padma Shri awardee Balwant Thakur, ‘Mata Ki Kahani’ presents the sacred narrative through carefully crafted sequences, coordinated group performances and evocative musical elements. The production reflects Natrang’s efforts to promote India’s cultural and spiritual heritage through contemporary theatrical techniques.
Across its 16 presentations, the production remained a major attraction of the Navratra Festival in Katra, providing pilgrims and visitors with an opportunity to experience the story of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi through the performing arts. It also demonstrated how theatre can preserve traditional narratives while enriching the cultural dimension of religious festivals.
The successful conclusion of the series highlighted the collaborative efforts of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the Directorate of Tourism, Jammu, in promoting cultural activities alongside spiritual tourism. For Natrang, the production marked another significant contribution to showcasing the artistic and cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir to a wider audience.
The production was supported by an experienced team of artists, technicians and designers. Neeraj Kant contributed to direction, while Gaurav Angural, Bhavishya Aggarwal and Rahul Gupta worked on the sets. Rahul Singh, Pawan Verma, Mohd. Yaseen and Mahikshit Singh handled costumes and properties. Sunny Mujoo led the choreography, and Shivam Singh was responsible for lighting design.
The artists featured in the production included Neeraj Kant, Sunny Mujoo, Kananpreet Kaur, Arya Sharma, Pallvi Sharma, Khushboo Pandita, Vani Thakur, Muskan Gupta, Sakshi Gupta, Shailja Singh, Jhanvi Biloria, Vanshika Manhas, Anshika Wazir, Damini Thakur, Aanya Sharma, Navya Sharma, Ridhima Devi, Sakshi Devi, Ishani Sharma, Shivangi, Kaashvi, Ishita Sharma, Keerti Sharma, Suneha Angural, Aryan Sharma, Sanket Bhagat, Krishna, Arun Dev Verma, Arun Sharma, Amit Rana, Narinder Verma, Sahil Narwalia, Palshin Dutta, Mihir Gujral, Radhika Khajuria, Kushal Bhat, Mitali Sharma, Bhoomi Sharma, Priyal Gupta, Lal Mohd., Arun Sagar, Krishay Bhatia and Aadesh Dhar.
With its 16th and final presentation, ‘Mata Ki Kahani’ brought its Katra run to a successful close, reaffirming the importance of performing arts in celebrating spiritual traditions, strengthening cultural engagement and enhancing the experience of the Navratra Festival.