Meerut: The second day of the three-day Regional Theatre Festival organized by the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi in collaboration with the District Administration Meerut and Chaudhary Charan Singh University was held at the university’s Atal Examination Hall on Monday.
The day featured a theatrical presentation by Yayavar Rangmandal, which staged the play “Hai Handsome.” The event was inaugurated with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Meerut Cantt MLA Amit Agarwal and University Registrar Anil Kumar Yadav.
A Story of Loneliness and Companionship
The play revolves around the emotional struggles of elderly parents in fragmented nuclear families, who often feel neglected, unwanted, and isolated. It portrays the poignant journey of widower Colonel Kapoor and his widowed samdhan Sita Devi, both grappling with loneliness in their later years. As they search for happiness in their solitary lives, they gradually realize their need for companionship and ultimately choose to share their lives together.
Presented with subtle humor and sensitive storytelling, the play delivered both wholesome entertainment and a meaningful social message—that companionship becomes even more essential in old age than in youth. The narrative underscored the idea that while one may retire from service due to age, one should never retire from life itself.
Applauded Direction and Performances
Under the tight and impactful direction of Mohammad Hafeez, the cast delivered compelling performances that drew repeated applause from the audience. The event was smoothly anchored by Swati Sharma.
Members of the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi, including noted theatre personality Bharat Bhushan Sharma and Prashant Yadav, felicitated chief guests Amit Agarwal and Anil Kumar Yadav with traditional angavastras and mementos.
Notable Attendees
Among those present at the performance were Dr. Sudha Sharma, Chairperson of Swang Shala; senior theatre personalities Anil Sharma, Jitender C. Raj, Hemant Goyal, Seema Samar, Seema Kaushik, and Ashok Gambhir.
Other distinguished attendees included astrologer Bharat Gyan Bhushan, advocate Mahesh Tyagi, S.N. Vats, Sheel Vardhan Gupta of Sanskar Bharti, Dr. Ashwani Sharma (CCSU), and journalist O.P. Saxena.
The festival continues to celebrate regional theatre, bringing together artists, cultural enthusiasts, and the academic community in a vibrant display of dramatic expression.
