Ludhiana: Veteran artist Jagjit Sareen takes centre stage
Highlighting the changing landscape of theatre, Sareen pointed out the rising trend of solo performances, where a single actor plays multiple roles; he also praised the contemporary works of Sahib Singh and Keval Dhaliwal, who continue to push the boundaries of Punjabi theatre
The fifth day of the ongoing theatre festival, organised by Punjabi Sahit Akademi at Punjabi Bhawan, featured an engaging session with veteran theatre artist Jagjit Sareen.
On the occasion of World Theatre Day, theatre enthusiasts gathered for a conversation with Sareen, who shared his journey in the world of theatre. During this, he recalled his early days in theatre, beginning in Class 10, and his association with legendary playwright Harpal Tiwana.
He reminisced about the golden era of Punjabi theatre during the time of Gursharan Singh, when a wave of socially relevant plays swept the region.
Highlighting the changing landscape of theatre, Sareen pointed out the rising trend of solo performances, where a single actor plays multiple roles. He also praised the contemporary works of Sahib Singh and Keval Dhaliwal, who continue to push the boundaries of Punjabi theatre.
Notably, the fifth day of the festival staged a play titled, ‘Main Bhagat Singh’, written by Pali Bhupinder and directed by Kirti Kirpal, to reminisce about the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh along Rajguru and Sukhdev.
Earlier in the day, a discussion on Asghar Wajahat’s play ‘Jis Lahore Nai Vekhya’ took place at Punjabi Bhawan. The play, directed by theatre artist Keval Dhaliwal, was staged on the fourth day of the festival, leaving audiences moved by its powerful narrative on communal harmony and human values.
Gulzar Singh Pandher, general secretary of Punjabi Sahit Akademi led the discussion, by praising the script’s psychological depth. He further highlighted how theatre remains a direct and impactful medium of communication.
The festival, dedicated to the memory of Ludhiana playwright Satya Nand Sewak, will also feature an exclusive face-to-face session with veteran playwright Heera Singh Randhawa on March 28.
