Jammu, June 22: As part of its acclaimed Sunday Theatre series, Natrang staged a powerful Hindi play, Ghor Kalyug, written and directed by Neeraj Kant. The production received a strong audience response for its bold commentary on the decline of emotional sensitivity and traditional values in today’s society.
The play centres on Rajan, a media professional, whose reaction to his ailing father’s death is shockingly detached. Upon being informed by his wife Savita, he responds with cold pragmatism—calling a funeral service to handle the last rites and assigning all responsibilities to Savita and their servant, Bhola. As events progress, the emotional divide within the household becomes evident. Rajan’s daughter, Veera, is visibly disturbed and refuses to attend school, while Savita manages everything with efficient detachment, relying entirely on paid services. At work, Rajan faces indifference from his boss, who dismisses personal grief as irrelevant in the competitive media landscape. His attempt to link his personal loss to a professional narrative is curtly rejected, highlighting the disconnect between human emotion and public disinterest. The emotional peak of the play arrives when the funeral agency returns the father’s ashes. Rajan suggests outsourcing even the immersion ceremony. However, Bhola refuses, condemning the family’s complete detachment from personal rituals. His powerful monologue mourns the erosion of empathy, cultural responsibility, and emotional authenticity. Declaring his wish to escape this heartless “Kalyug,” Bhola exits, leaving the audience with a stark reflection on the mechanical nature of modern life. The play featured a brilliant performance by Pawan Verma, recipient of the J&K State Award and National Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture. Notable contributions also came from Aryan Sharma, Adaksh Bagal, Kushal Bhat, Prerna Sharma, Priyal Ashok Gupta, and Kartik Kumar. Lighting design was executed by Neeraj Kant, and the show was coordinated by Mohd. Yaseen
