Dr. Avnish Jolly, Chandigarh, 28th June, 2008:Woman alone can lead a movement against female foeticide, who after becoming part of this evil deed. This was the message conveyed by two plays staged at Pracheen Kala Kendra , Mohali.
Enactment was done by artists of Suchetak Rangmanch under the direction of Anita Shabdeesh. In this festival which was sponsored by Voluntary Health Association Punjab, First play staged was ‘Sirjana’ written by Pali Bhupinder Singh. Story revolves around a literate lady (Anita Shabdeesh)who is forced to give birth to heir of forty acres of land & is taken to the clinic of Dr. Obroi (malkeet Singh) for preparation of experiments for delivering mail child by her mother-in-law (Gurpreet Kaur Bhangu). The lady here meets massi (Baljinder Kaur) whose comments visualizes the truth of the society. Play talks about the graveyard of daughter in the backyard of hospitals. The play in titles these graveyard as pieces of hollow self-respect of weak men , who put down feelings under rituals & mother wishes. The pay stands against the old & anty woman rituals. The second play staged by the group was ‘Chirhi Di Umber Wal Udaan’. Based on Dr. Gurminder Sidhu’s poems was scripted by shabdeesh adding his own writings. This poetry based play depicts the journey of a woman’s past till present. Play shows the obstacles faced by woman, in the end stands against the rituals & manly symbols & puts a Question ‘This is the war of values’ & denies male dominated history of society. It was powerful solo performance by Anita Shabdeesh who had staged this play in many cities of Punjab & staged also in U.K. On this occasion the great personality of Punjabi theatre Sr. Gursharan Singh delivered a short message giving speech for social awareness. The director of Voluntary health association Mr. Manmohan Sharma said that they will continue the mission for health problems . Mrs. Shobha Kosser registrar of Pracheen Kala kendra & D.P.I. (schools) Chandigarh , Mr. S.K.Setia were present on the occasion.