Ravinder Kaul visits University of North Texas campus at Denton
22/05/2025
North Texas,May 22 (KIP)-Ravinder Kaul, well known Theatre Critic and a member of the International Association of Theatre Critics, visited the University of North Texas campus at Denton, one of USA’s largest Universities, and held wide ranging discussions on the theme ‘Theatre in India - Past and Present with special reference to Jammu and Kashmir’.
The visit was hosted by Prof. Sadaf Munshi from the Department of Linguistics, University of North Texas. The interaction was aimed at delving deep into the glorious traditions of theatre in India as also with the contemporary theatre currently being showcased in the length and breadth of this vast land.
While discussing contemporary theatre in the urban centers in India, with their own linguistic and cultural background, Kaul made a specific reference to the theatre traditions in Kashmir as well as in Jammu. The first mention of theatre traditions in Kashmir can be found in Nilamat Purana, believed to have been composed in 6th or 7th century A.D, he said. The mention of dramatic performances and those who earn their living through stage is so frequent in Nilamata Purana that one is compelled to believe that theatre must have really taken roots in Kashmir long before this book is believed to have been written, he added.
Similarly, in Jammu, theatre has been practiced in the form of folk performances like Haran, Bhagtaan, Jagarna for many centuries in the rural areas. In Jammu city, Sanatan Dharam Natak Samaj, Dewan Mandir was the pioneer in staging plays. Late K. L. Sehgal, the renowned singer and actor, and Late Om Parkash of Hindi films also used to take part in the Ramlila at Dewan Mandir, along with Hakim Parshu Ram Nagar, he added.
In contemporary times Jammu and Kashmir has a thriving theatre culture with many theatre groups actively involved in staging plays with contemporary themes, he said. Prof. Sadaf Munshi highlighted the role of theatre and performing arts in the preservation and promotion of minority languages.
Earlier, Ravinder Kaul had a detailed discussion with Ramona Harper who is a retired Foreign Service Officer, a career diplomat, of the U.S. Department of State and an avid theatre and dance critic and a member of the American Theatre Critics Association.
While in the Foreign Service, her specialization was Public Diplomacy and Cultural Affairs. Her overseas postings were Senegal, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Panama and Germany, among others, where she presented American visual and performing artists on behalf of the U.S. Government.
In the discussion Ramona Harper stressed the importance of cultural exchanges between countries in order to further their strategic goals and goodwill between nations. She also gave leads to Kaul regarding the people and offices to be approached in the USA and other countries, where she has worked, in order to ensure cultural exchanges between Indian theatre groups and the theatre groups in these countries.