New Delhi, Sep 28: The three-day 7th Nadi Utsav, organised at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), concluded with the theatrical presentation of Jamna Travels Private Unlimited. Directed and produced by Shruti aka Phoolkumari, the original play captivated the audience with its imaginative storyline, humour and cultural references associated with the Yamuna.
The 7th Nadi Utsav placed the cultural, historical, ecological and civilisational significance of India’s rivers at the centre of the festival. This year, the festival placed special focus on the Yamuna. Through discussions, cultural programmes and artistic presentations, the festival sought to highlight the Yamuna’s traditions, folk memories, heritage and contemporary relevance.
Jamna Travels Private Unlimited revolves around five disgruntled residents of Delhi who are chosen by the Yamuna’s River Watchers to undertake a dangerous yet transformative journey across time in a boat. What begins as a journey on the river gradually takes them into a fascinating world connected with the past, present and memories of the river.
The play features Shah Dijinn and Chulbuli Bhatiyaran of Jamna Travels Private Unlimited, who have been helping the people of Delhi cross the waters of the Yamuna while journeying through time. With the ability to shapeshift into Shaheen and Bagula, quintessential birds of the riverine ecosystem, they guide five chosen Musafir at midnight on their final ‘Waqt ka Safar’.
What begins as an escape from everyday life gradually turns into a strange and transformative experience for the travellers. Along the journey, they encounter unexpected characters from different periods of time, as well as the river itself.
The play was directed and produced by Shruti aka Phoolkumari, a theatre artist, facilitator and arts manager, and a graduate of the National School of Drama. Her artistic practice spans theatre and performance and is rooted in collaborative artistic experiences.
The cast included Pankaj Kumar Jha, Kalpana Sharma, Rishibha Aery, Himanshu Pal, Amav Kumar, Shikha Gupta, Nikhil Rathor, Nidhi Vaid, Yash Narayan, Eksha Chadalavada, Albeena and Shatabdi Manna.
With the presentation of Jamna Travels Private Unlimited, the three-day 7th Nadi Utsav came to a close. The play not only entertained the audience but also offered an imaginative perspective on the Yamuna’s cultural memory, associated folklore and its enduring relationship with the life and heritage of Delhi.
