JAMMU, Nov 1: Celebrating the richness of Dogri literature and theatre, Natrang staged the Dogri play ‘Diary Kuse Lok Naath Di’ at Natrang Studio on Sunday under its weekly theatre series ‘Sunday Theatre’. The performance also became an occasion to pay tribute to legendary Dogri writer and filmmaker Ved Rahi, whose demise has left a deep void in Jammu and Kashmir’s literary and cultural landscape.
Based on a story by eminent Dogri writer and Sahitya Akademi Award recipient Prof. Madan Mohan Sharma, the play was adapted by Dimple Sharma and directed by noted theatre director Neeraj Kant. Despite its modest production scale, the presentation captivated the audience through its engaging narrative, convincing performances and expressive use of the Dogri language.
Before the performance, Natrang organised a condolence meeting to mourn the demise of Ved Rahi. Members of the Natrang family expressed deep sorrow over his passing and observed a two-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed literary figure.
Speaking on the occasion, Natrang Director Balwant Thakur recalled the organisation’s long-standing association with Ved Rahi, who had consistently appreciated and encouraged its creative initiatives. Describing him as a towering personality and a living legend of Dogri literature and culture, Thakur said his demise was an irreparable loss that had created a significant void in the literary and cultural world of Jammu and Kashmir. He added that his remarkable contributions and creative legacy would continue to inspire generations.
Thakur further stated that presenting the works of eminent Dogri writers through the ‘Sunday Theatre’ series was a new initiative by Natrang to promote the regional language and its literary heritage. He observed that adapting literary stories for the stage was a challenging creative process that required artistic vision, technical expertise and a deep understanding of the original narrative. He expressed satisfaction that Natrang had a dedicated team capable of transforming literary works into engaging theatrical productions.
The play revolves around the diary of Lok Nath, whose personal experiences reveal the ironies, aspirations and dilemmas of an ordinary individual. The story unfolds when a writer becomes curious about an attractive diary found by his son and begins exploring its contents. Through a series of humorous and revealing incidents, the diary exposes Lok Nath’s disillusionment, financial difficulties and romantic fantasies, particularly his unsuccessful attempts to approach his employer’s sister-in-law.
His eventual decision to withdraw from the situation, fearing that he might lose both his job and tuition assignment, brings out the humour, insecurity and vulnerability associated with everyday human relationships.
One of the most striking features of the production was its language, with the natural rhythm, richness and expressive quality of Dogri emerging as an integral part of the theatrical experience. Neeraj Kant, portraying the character of the ‘Writer’, maintained an appropriate narrative flow, while Pawan Verma, as ‘Lok Nath’, convincingly portrayed the character’s inner conflicts, emotional struggles and personal dilemmas.
Lighting and music were executed by Kushal Bhat, further enhancing the overall theatrical presentation.
Through this production, Natrang once again highlighted the importance of bringing regional literature to the stage and preserving Dogri’s linguistic and cultural heritage through meaningful theatrical initiatives.