JAMMU, Oct 21: Natrang celebrated the 234th birth anniversary of Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, by screening Gulab Gatha, a feature film written, conceptualised and directed by Padma Shri Balwant Thakur, at Natrang Studio Theatre, Jammu, today.
The screening witnessed the enthusiastic participation of a large number of young students and artists, who came together to revisit an extraordinary chapter in the history of Jammu and Kashmir and pay tribute to one of the most consequential figures in the region’s past.
At the outset, Natrang Director Padma Shri Balwant Thakur spoke about the vision behind Gulab Gatha, describing it as a pioneering cinematic effort to bring the story of Maharaja Gulab Singh and the creation of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir to wider public attention.
He emphasised that the film was conceived not merely as a historical narrative, but as an educational and cultural initiative aimed at reconnecting younger generations with their roots, historical consciousness and collective identity.
Expressing his gratitude to Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman of the Maharaja Gulab Singh Memorial Trust, Balwant Thakur acknowledged the trust and confidence reposed in him by entrusting him with the responsibility of creating a full-length film on the life and achievements of Maharaja Gulab Singh.
He recalled that the journey began with a stage production of Gulab Gatha, which was presented on two occasions during the Maharaja’s birth anniversary celebrations in 2015 and 2016. Building upon that theatrical experience, he developed the film in 2017, which was subsequently upgraded in 2018 into its present form.
Reflecting on Maharaja Gulab Singh’s extraordinary historical stature, Balwant Thakur observed that his life and achievements invite comparison with those of Napoleon Bonaparte, particularly in terms of military ambition, strategic vision, political determination and the ability to reshape the map of a region.
Like Napoleon, Gulab Singh emerged from a turbulent political landscape through exceptional military and administrative abilities, transforming his position from that of a regional commander into that of a ruler who fundamentally altered the political geography of his time.
Through military campaigns, diplomatic negotiations and a remarkable understanding of the political realities of the subcontinent, Maharaja Gulab Singh laid the foundations of one of the largest princely states in India. His achievement was not simply the acquisition of territory; it was the consolidation of diverse geographical and cultural regions under a single political authority.
His journey from the Jammu hills to the establishment of the vast Jammu and Kashmir state stands as a remarkable example of strategic statecraft and political vision. While Napoleon’s ambitions reshaped Europe, Gulab Singh’s achievements left an enduring imprint on the history and identity of the northwestern subcontinent. Such a comparison, Balwant Thakur emphasised, helps younger generations appreciate the scale of Gulab Singh’s historical contribution and recognise his place among the great state-builders of the nineteenth century.
Balwant Thakur also expressed concern that the history, heritage and cultural achievements of Jammu and Kashmir have not received adequate and sustained attention in the educational experience of generations of students. He stressed the need to make regional history more accessible through films, theatre, literature and other creative mediums, enabling young people to understand the struggles, sacrifices, political challenges and vision that shaped their homeland.
He explained that Gulab Gatha was created with precisely this objective: to present an important chapter of regional history in an engaging, visually compelling and accessible form. By combining historical storytelling with cinematic expression, the film seeks to encourage audiences to explore their past and develop a deeper appreciation of the personalities and events that shaped Jammu and Kashmir.
Over the years, Natrang has organised more than 200 screenings of Gulab Gatha across Jammu and Kashmir, taking the film to diverse audiences and extending its educational reach. Balwant Thakur stated that Natrang intends to continue these screenings in other parts of India and abroad so that the story of Maharaja Gulab Singh and the historical evolution of Jammu and Kashmir can reach a wider national and international audience.
The screening concluded with a renewed appeal to preserve, document and disseminate the region’s rich historical and cultural legacy, ensuring that the achievements of its extraordinary personalities remain an integral part of the consciousness of future generations.
The artists featured in ‘Gulab Gatha’ included Arvind Anand, Madan Rangeela, Sudhir Jamwal, Suresh Kumar, Janak Khajuria, Anil Tickoo, Sanjeev Gupta, Neeraj Kant, Kanwal Peshin, Vijay Bhat, Subash Jamwal, Sumeet Sharma, Gaurav Jamwal, Rahul Singh, Aftab Singh Chauhan, Meera Tapasvi, Aarushi Thakur Rana, Brijesh Avtaar Sharma, Lalit Kumar, Aman Sharma, Akshay Razdan, Kanav Sharma, Jatin Sharma, Brighu Sharma, Sumeet Raina, Naresh Kumar, Udit Sagar, Sushant Singh Charak, Vanshika Gupta, Sanket Bhagat, Arvin Tickoo and Shivam Sharma.
Technical crew included Maloop Singh (Technical Director) Sanjay Kumar (Cameraman), Kamal Sharma (Makeup), and Neeraj Badyal (Film Editor), Sartaj Singh (Production) Mohd Yaseen and Gaurav Jamwal (Coordination).