By SD Sharma, Chandigarh, April 8 : The third Bharat Muni Award-2012 instituted by Samwaad Theatre Group and Punjabi Kala Kendra, Mumbai, was conferred on city’s young thespian
Julfiqar Khan. The award was presented by chief guest Shakti Rani Sharma, chairperson, ICSW, Chandigarh, at a special function held at Tagore Theatre here today. Julfiqar Khan is a gold medallist alumnus of the department of Indian Theatre of Punjab University. He had revolutionised the theatre among slum children and shoe shiners, besides arranging for their education.
The highlight of the programme was the staging of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore’s popular story “Tota Kahani” in Hindi by artistes of the Theatre Age
Group. The Hindi adaptation, production designing and dramatisation of the popular story by SNA awardee Dr Mahendra flourished under the able direction of Julfiqar Khan. It was a powerful and meaningful satire on the system of education in India. The story authored by Tagore in 1931 holds relevance even today. The play bared the predicament of the modern day educational system through the metaphor of parrot, made to learn big epics to the designed motifs of a few affluent ministers of a foolish king. Over 50 enthusiastic child prodigies aged between 5 and 16, in elegant costumes, mesmerised the audience.
Special Thanks to The Tribune Publication: Monday, April 9, 2012, Chandigarh, India.