Punjabi Academy has traversed quite a distance since its inception in 1981. An organisation that stuck to a few events here and there, is today presenting a handful of shows every fourth night. It’s most recent showcase is the Punjabi Theatre Festival 2013, making the growth of the institution even more definite. The presentations part of the show this year include Karmawali–a journey of 1947 directed by Sunita Dhir and Gurcharan Singh. The play has been written by Kashmiri Lal Zakir and will be staged on September 2. September 3 will witness Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo and Juleit, directed by Partho Bandhopadhay. Oh Lok Jo Ruke Reh Gai is another play to be staged on September 4 and has been directed by Vivek Shrama and written by Arthur Miller. Last in the series of plays is another Bard classic King Lear, directed by Kewal Dhaliwal, to be staged on September 5.
Starting out as a medium to promote Punjabi language, literature and culture, the academy has today become part of the composite culture of the country. ‘‘Ever since its inception, it has been playing a catalytic role in the proliferation of Punjabi literary and cultural activities in the spheres of music, folk dances, seminars, symposia, short story, poetry, novel, literary criticism, drama and others. During the last two decades, the academy has assumed a significant role in not only the portraying the regions culture but also the countries creative sensibilities through art, theatre and drama and because of rigorous rehearsals, the characters look closer to reality,” says Rawail Singh, Secretary, Punjabi Academy, adding, ‘‘Punjab has produced some of the greatest writers and poets like Khushwant Singh and Amrita Pritam and we wish to nurture fresh talent to take Punjabi art to greater heights in the city. We hope this initiative becomes a grand success and sends the right message that we always intended.”
Date September 2 to 5 Time 6.30 pm onwards Venue Sri Ram Centre for Art and Culture, 4, Safdar Hashmi Marg, Mandi House Entry Free