Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The three-day Kashmir Theatre Conference, organised by ACT FOR A BETTER TOMORROW, concluded with a vibrant felicitation ceremony, bringing together theatre practitioners, scholars, writers, artists and cultural enthusiasts to deliberate on Kashmir’s theatrical heritage and future.
The concluding day featured academic paper presentations and an interactive session on “The Future Prospects of Theatre in Kashmir.” Scholars and practitioners including Hasrat Gadda, Gouri Shankar Raina, Bhawani Basheer Yasir, Dr. Aiyash Arif, Ravi Kemmu, Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Prof. Farooq Fayyaz, Lalit Parimoo, Majeed Khan, Shaikh Haneef, Shah-e-Jahan Ahmad Bhagat, Javaid Khan, Raees Wathoori, Nisar Naseem, Arshad Mushtaq, Reshi Rasheed, Hassan Javaid, M. Y. Shaheen, Hakeem Javaid, Ameen Bhat, Gulzar Fighter, Shaikh Altaf, Mir Sarwar, S. Humayun Qaisar and Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan participated in the scholarly deliberations.
Discussions focused on institutional support, creative experimentation, professional development, audience engagement and the long-term sustainability of theatre in Kashmir.
The concluding function was introduced by Seyad Humayun Qaisar. Secretary Information Muneer-ul-Islam (IAS) attended as Chief Guest, while Theatre Practitioner Ravi Kemu, Writer/Theatre Practitioner Gauri Shankar Raina, Actor/Director Lalit Parimoo, Cardiologist Dr. Sheikh Burhan, Vice Chairperson SSM College of Engineering Dilafroz Qazi, Former Bureaucrat/Social Activist Roma Wani, Additional Secretary, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Lal Chand, National Spokesperson Lok Jan Shakti Party Sanjay Saraf and Former Revenue Minister Syed Basharat Bukhari were Guests of Honour.
The dignitaries praised ACT FOR A BETTER TOMORROW for creating a platform for artistic expression, research and dialogue, stressing the need to preserve Kashmir’s theatrical traditions while encouraging innovation and emerging talent.
Mementos were presented to collaborators, participants and sponsors, while members of ACT FOR A BETTER TOMORROW were felicitated for their efforts. The Chief Guest and Guests of Honour were presented traditional Kashmiri shawls and mementos.
The conference also featured performances of the Kashmiri folk traditions Roff and Bhand-e-Pather. Three theatrical productions—“Zu Qadam Kaithis Taam,” “Conflict” in Kashmiri and the Urdu play “Pagal Koun?”—were staged during the conference and received an enthusiastic response from audiences.
Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan delivered the vote of thanks.
The conference concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening Kashmir’s theatre ecosystem and creating greater opportunities for artists, practitioners, scholars, writers and young creative voices.
