Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University, culminated its annual production "Jasma Odan”

Chandigarh, May 18, 2023: The Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University, Chandigarh, has culminated its annual production "Jasma Odan," written by Shanta Gandhi. The play is designed and directed by Dr. Navdeep Kaur, Chairperson of the Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University, Chandigarh.

 
After a successful opening, on 13th today was the 6th show, the production has got an overwhelming response from the audience. All the shows are house full and there is a demand of audience to have more shows.

 
The production is in the Bhavai form, which is the traditional theatre of Gujarat (Western India), originating in the 13th-14th century. The storytelling of Jasma is woven with songs, dance, and music that is rooted in our culture and tradition.

 
Jasma, the goddess, was the nymph of Swargaloka. At the behest of Lord Indra, the Apsara broke the penance of a sage. Then, that Rishi got angry and cursed the Apsara, and the same Apsara was born in Prithviloka, whose name was Jasma. The Apsara also cursed the sage that he would be her husband, and Jasma's husband is Rupa. Jasma was the wife of Rupa, the pond digger, who belonged to the Aud Rajput tribe. He went to dig the Sahasralinga Lake at Anhilwad Patan. King Siddharaj Jaisingh of the Solanki dynasty was enamored with Jasma's beauty and proposed marriage. Siddharaj proposed to make her the queen of Gujarat, but Jasma rejected the proposal. King Siddharaja, insulted by Jasma's refusal, killed her husband. Jasma satiated herself by jumping into a pyre to protect her honor. According to legend, due to Jasma's curse, the Sahasralinga Lake remained waterless, and Siddaraj was left without an heir to his state of Gujarat. The Jasmadevi Temple dedicated to Jasmadevi was built in the 12th century by the Rajput tribe in Patan, Gujarat, near the Sahasralinga Lake.

 
Dr. Navdeep Kaur, the director of the play, mentioned that it is an excellent experience to explore our roots and traditions with the young generation. Furthermore, she mentioned that she was quite happy to see the positive transformation in her students as their teacher.

 
The character of Jasma is being played by Seema, a student of MA-II, Roopa by Mandeep Singh, a student of MA-I, Sidhraj by Banu Partap Singh, a student of MA-I, and Barot by Manjot Singh, a student of MA-II.Nala Rishi by Rohit Pandey if MA-ll and Rangla by Bipin of Malli.
 

The music of the play is composed and sung by Dr. Tejinder Singh, Assistant Director, Department of Youth Welfare, Panjab University Chandigarh.