5-Day Theatre Festival-2023 at Dashmesh Auditorium in GNDU

Amritsar: The Drama Club, Guru Nanak Dev University in collaboration with Awaaz Rangmanch Toli, Amritsar open curtains for its second, Five Day Theatre Festival-2023 at Dashmesh Auditorium in the university premises from 24th April. Under the leadership of Vice-chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Jaspal Singh Sandhu, the inaugural candles were lightened by Chief Guest, Kewal Dhaliwal (Shiromani Natak-kar and NSD Graduate). This five-day theatre festival comprises five different plays encompassing various topics related to the betterment pf society and unleashing the dark forces in the society. The plays are Khadd, Samma wali Dang, Love Junction, Afsana, and Kahani Wali Amrita are to be performed respectively from 24th April. Awaaz Rangmanch Toli (Asr), Khalsa College Rangmanch and Adakar Manch(Mohali) are enriching the theater festival with these remarkable performances. After the inauguration by Kewal Dhaliwal as chief guest. Dr. Jatinder Brar, founder Punjab Naatshala honoured the event as Chief Guest on the second day of the festival. NSD Graduate Rajinder Singh and madam amita sharma were chief guest for third day whereas Arvinder Chamak (Secretary, Indian Academy of Fine Arts) for the fourth day and Madam Jahanzeb Akhtar (IRS) for the fifth day.

The first day, with the psychologically thrilling performance of 'khadd' a play by Drama Club, GNDU under the direction of Kanwal Randhey came out to be a life changing experience for the audience. Bachanpal singh played the lead male role and Ravinder Kaur played the female lead role. University students Harsh, khushnaseeb, Khahishpreet Kaur, Kamaljit Singh, Divyanshi Kaushal, Amritbirpal Kaur, Kamalpreet Kaur were playing the assisting roles in the play. Navneet Randhey managed the light operation and was assisted in sound operation by Navdeep Singh. The play was a comical dramatization of the problems existing with the human mind and  habitual lust. Play displays the societal interferences and the rigid belief system of society towards certain pseudo philanthropists. Play further discusses the certain shift in the narrow mindedness and need to subtle shift of cooperation and understanding despite of belief system. Adakaari Manch Mohali performed the play 'Samma Wali Daang' on the second day, based on the challenges faced by farmer in his daily life and what society perceives about their life. Dr. Sahib Singh (Director, Samma Wali Daang) with his emotional message came out with a heart touching moment during the play. The play was a dramatization of societal interferences in the difficult lifestyle of the agrarian section that feeds the world. The authoritarian attitude of the leaders and a pseudo welfare campaigns that prevails in the political system persuading the society. The play motivates the society for their behavioural instincts to change and train for situational analysis. On the third day of the second Rangmanch Ustav, Drama Club, Guru Nanak Dev University; successfully presented the drama "kahani wali amrita". the play was based on Amrita Pritam's four stories Chhamak Challo, Karma Vali, Jangli Booti and Ek Hauka. the play presented women's pain, feelings, self-respect, emotions very well. the stories written by Amrita Pritam were dramatized by Kanwal Randhey.

This play of displaying stories of literature in theatre was directed by Navneet Randhey. the lyrics of the play were written by Sahib Surinder and the music was composed by Gagan Vadali.

In the play, Diksha Tank, Deepika, Khahish, Karan, Rubal, Pushkin, Ravinder Randhawa, Karamjit Sandhu, Vishal, Navdeep Singh gave their powerful performances.

For the fourth day of the second Rangmanch Ustav, Guru Nanak Dev University Drama Club presented the hindi drama "Afsana". The play was based on Sadat Hasan Manto's stories depicting the pain and miseries of the people during partition and was dramatized and Directed by Shardha. This play of Displaying and dramtazing the ground situations during the separation of Indian geographical area in theatre. Play also depicted the Women's situation in several professions, with the religion based divide. The play was performed by Khalsa College Rangmanch, Amritsar. On the fifth day of the second Rangmanch Ustav, Guru Nanak Dev University; Drama Club presented the Hindi drama "Love Junction".

The play was a comical dramatization with a romantic twist. 

The play was based on school life love and an intersected path of two lovers way ahead of life. 

The play was directed by Kanwal Randhey from Drama Club, GNDU. Nitin Gupta was the writer of the play who wrote it in his college days of IIT.

Navneet Randhey was female lead artist and Bachanpal was playing as male lead artist in the play. Play began with a homourous interaction between two siblings to move on from years of awaited partner. The story continues after the awaited lover meets him at a station and those burried feelings floats in their hearts again. The situations and fears of expression were other complex moments in the story. Play concludes after they set to begin their love life.

Harpreet Singh (Convener, Drama Club) thanked and honoured the members who contributed their efforts in this theatre festival with sponsorship and management and for their efforts in making this event successful. Dr Sunil Kumar (Professor in-charge and Head of the department of Hindi), Drama Club presented a heartful thanks to the distinguished personalities present in the hall. Dr. Sunil (Teacher in-charge, Drama Club and Head of the department of Hindi) quoted theater as "the way of living life". The achievements and efforts of Drama Club were also discussed in the festival. Calling drama to be a golden opportunity to be part of, the students were enthusiastic towards the event. Dr. Deepika Saraf (Asst. Prof and Mentor (Photography Club) were honoured with memento for her keen efforts in making the event a remark.  Harpreet Singh were also honoured with a memento from the students of Drama Club for his heartful effort towards theatre and the festival throughout.

Curtains then set to close after Harpreet Singh (Convener, Drama Club) thanked their Chief Guests and Sponsors for making theatre festival as a remarkable event for the performing arts. The audience with their remarkable reviews made the event more memorable.