Dynamic Chairman PRTC. K.K. Sharma, who was chief guest at the NTAS’ 199th Monthly Garden Theatre “Prithviraj Kapoor Natak Mela”, said that an amount of about Rupees 10 lakh, reported to be lying unused with Patiala Improvement Trust, sanctioned for the renovation of Garden Theater stage and providing facilities of two rooms for artists and theater goods and seating arrangement for the audience would soon be utilized to make people’s dream come true.
Sharma said that he would take up matter with the Deputy Commissioner Patiala Kumar Amit in this regard as D.C. is the competent authority, being chairman of the Baradari Gardens maintenance committee. Sharma who is a former chairman of Patiala Improvement Trust announced during thundering applause that even additional funds if need be, would be provided towards face lift of the complex under the patronage of Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amrinder Singh. Sharma appreciated NTAS’ director Pran Sabharwal-Sunita Sabharwal, president G.S. Kakkar and team for their long relentless efforts to keep socio-theater movement and Patiala heritage alive.
Sharma expressed pride that he has been associated with Garden Theater festival, first of its kind in India since its inception in 2001 and was happy to know that Garden Theater movement was going to complete 200 monthly theater festivals next month, besides having presented above 5000 theater performances in Indian and abroad during the past six decades.
The presidium including state’s prominent personalities, the chief guest Sharma and guests of honour Northern India’s noted Eye Surgeon-music lover Dr. Sukhdip Singh Boparai M.D. Patiala Eye Hospital lasik laser centre, socialite art patron Rajiv Goyal Chartered Accountant, Trustee of Mahakali Charitable Trust, Country’s leading organisation and Ntasians Sr. Vice President P.C. Tiwari, Chairman Sham Lal Navyug and Associate Director Sunita Sabharwal inaugurated the programme by paying floral tributes to Lord Natraj’s idol during chanting of Sanskrit-Shalokas.
The presidium gave away cash awards to 25 artists. NTAS director Pran Sabharwal, Fellow Theater & Television deptt. Punjabi University informed that Natak Mela, held in celebration of birth anniversary of Prithvi Raj Kapoor doyen of Hindustani Theater & pioneer of Indian Cinema (Nov. 3) was dedicated to Parkash Utsav of Shri guru Nanak Dev Ji.
Ntasians honoured the guests of pride by presenting to them award of honour, memento, Shawal, bouquets, besides Dr. Sukhdip S. Boparai’s musical gift DVD “The Mega collection of old Bollywood instrumental Hits Emotions IV”. The main attraction of three hour Punjabi Haas Raag Rang, plays, musicals, dances and Bhand Naqlaan programme was Surjit Absurd’s new Punjabi Play “Social ton Soshan tak-media” participated by Mahindra College students. The staging of the play was organised in cooperation with Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust’s Head philanthropist Dr. S.P. Singh Oberoi. The play, a powerful social satire, especially expressing people’s anger against price rise, corruption, nepotism and wrong policies, got thundering applause of the appreciative audience.
