JAMMU: The two-day seminar on “Dogri Drama”, jointly organised by the Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Jammu, concluded today at K. L. Saigal Hall, Writers Club, Jammu.
The second day of the seminar featured two academic sessions which focused on the development of contemporary Dogri drama and the diverse thematic and creative dimensions of Dogri theatrical literature.
The third session was chaired by Sudhir Mahajan, eminent Dogri writer and playwright. Ajay Singh Aithmiya presented an overview of Dogri drama from 2021 to 2026, highlighting recent developments and emerging trends in the field.
Kuldeep Dogra spoke on Dogri drama and political satire, while Raj Rahi presented his views on Dogri drama based on traditional sources and traditions.
The fourth and concluding academic session was chaired by Dr.Gyan Singh, noted Dogri writer and playwright.
Dr. Sushma Rani Rajput discussed Dogri drama from a historical perspective, while Jagdeep Dubey examined the role of folk literature as a basis for Dogri drama. Dr Sunil Mangoch spoke on Solo Act Play and Poetic Drama in Dogri. Experimental theatrical forms, drawing attention to the creative possibilities and changing dimensions of Dogri theatre.
The discussions emphasised that Dogri drama has evolved considerably over the decades, reflecting changing social realities, historical experiences, folk traditions and contemporary concerns. The participants also highlighted the need to document, preserve and promote the rich dramatic heritage of Dogri while encouraging new experimentation in theatre and playwriting.
The two-day seminar provided a valuable platform for writers, playwrights, scholars and theatre practitioners to critically examine the historical journey of Dogri drama as well as its contemporary relevance. The deliberations also underlined the important role of Dogri theatre in preserving the cultural ethos and literary traditions of the region.
The seminar concluded with a Samooh Theatre presentation ” Bhole Ram the Jeev” from a play originally written by Hari Shankar Parsaayi in the shape of a Short Story, adopted and directed by Dr. Sudhir Mahajan based on a solo act presented by Rajinder Kumar Naarang.
