Minister for Public Works, Naeem Akhtar, today inaugurated 11-day long 8th Theatre Olympics at Abhinav Theatre here.
The Jammu chapter of Theatre Olympics 2018 is being organized by National School of Drama (NSD) under the aegis of Ministry of Culture, Government of India, with the support of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
“On the inaugural day, the internationally acclaimed play, Chanakya, directed by Manoj Joshi was staged that brought to life the great visionary and statesmen, Chanakya, in modern context,” an official spokesman said.
Eminent theatre personality M K Raina was the guest of honor on the occasion while as senior faculty member National School of Drama Abdul Latif Khatana, Secretary Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Dr Aziz Hajini, Additional Secretary JKAACL Arvinder Amn and other theatre personalities were present in the inaugural function.
Saying that Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed strong theatre tradition right from the beginning, the Minister said that people like M K Raina have been instrumental in revival of theatre in Kashmir for the last two decades. “He carried out theatre workshops in Kashmir and brought the children out of the state of fear as the region was witnessing tough time due to disturbed situation.”
The Minister further said that he has not only brought back the glorious tradition of ‘Bhand Pather’ in Kashmir but also taken it to the global level. “Mr. Raina started an alternate movement in Kashmir silently from whatever else was happening in the valley which is an investment for another 100 years to come,” Naeem added.
Stressing on the need to go back to the roots, the Minister urged the internet savvy youth to develop interest in books, scriptures, music, and theatre and develop man to man contact for better understanding of human values.