Balwant Thakur felicitated in Shimla on World Theatre Day

29/03/2024

Shimla, Mar 28: Eminent Theatre Director and former Cultural Amb-assador of India to South Africa and Mauritius was felicitated at the historic Gaiety Theatre, Shimla on the occasion of the celebrations of world theatre day. A day-long celebrations were organised by the Beginners Shimla in association with the Depar-tment of Language and Culture Government of Himachal Pradesh and Gaiety Theatre Society. In addition to being the Chief Guest of this prestigious event, Balwant Thakur also gave a presentation on the new emerging trends and approaches in the global theatre.
A book entitled 'Gaiety Theatre Ke Rangchar' edited by Dr. Bharti Kuthiyala was also released by him on the occasion. It may be recalled that Balwant Thakur worked for Him-achal Pradesh Govern-ment and created an iconic mega musical theatre show entitled 'Himachal' featuring the origin of Himachal from Vedic times to the day of the creation of a separate state Himachal Pradesh. This mega show with 65 artists on stage was performed all over Himachal for 80 times. On the occasion Balwant Thakur's overview of world theatre and its comparison with Indian theatre particularly the theatre of the north was the highlight of the celebrations in Shimla.
He dwelt in detail about the reasons responsible for the failure of theatre becoming a strong moment in this region. Balwant Thakur is one of the largely travelled theatre directors of Indian stage who has the credit of having presented theatre in over hundred countries. These presentations were not limited to just showcasing his creative works but also the exchanges and interactions with world theatre directors and scholars.
Based on his experience of global theatre practices, he presented the true picture of theatre today. Fact remains that Balwant Thakur through his extrao-rdinary efforts has successfully made a space for theatre not only in India but at the International level as well. He has a lot to share with his fellow theatre practitioners, his anecdotes about his encounters with the realities of sustaining a cultural moment in Jammu. His new innovations as a creative director and cultural administrator are praiseworthy and are worth documentation & dissemination amongst the new crop of theatre professionals. His recent innovations of introducing theatre as a medium of personality transformation requires to be documented as a book so the entire fraternity of theatre take benefit of his new discoveries.
On the occasion two senior directors/actors of National School of Drama Aseema Bhatt and Amla Rai also spoke on various aspects of theatre. The seminar was presided over by the eminent scholar and former IAS officer S. N. Joshi whereas Director Language and Culture Government of Himachal Pradesh Pankaj Lalit was the Guest of honour.
The celebrations concl-uded with the presentation of two mind blowing plays presented by The Beginners Shimla under the direction of Kapil Sharma.

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