Lucknow: In a mesmerizing confluence of literature and classical dance, Kathak exponent Surbhi Singh presented a dance drama titled “Azaad Rooh”, inspired by the life and writings of renowned Punjabi poet and novelist Amrita Pritam, at Sant Gadge Ji Maharaj Auditorium.
Organized by the Cultural Quest organization, the production beautifully encapsulated the struggles, love, pain, and poetic spirit of Amrita Pritam through an evocative Kathak-based dance narrative. Surbhi Singh not only conceptualized and directed the production but also handled writing, music, voice-over, and portrayed the character of Amrita Pritam herself, alongside her disciples.
A Poetic Journey Through Dance
The dance drama traced Amrita Pritam’s life from childhood struggles to the emotional upheaval of the India-Pakistan Partition, themes that deeply influenced her literary works. Through rhythmic footwork, expressive abhinaya, and the resonant sound of ghungroos, the production translated her powerful poetry into a visual spectacle.
Iconic works such as “Ajj Aakhaan Waris Shah Nu,” “Majboor,” and the long nazm “Tawareekh” were woven seamlessly into the choreography. The tabla beats and melodic compositions heightened the emotional depth, earning thunderous applause from the audience.
The performance also delicately portrayed the emotional dimensions of Amrita Pritam’s relationships—her unfulfilled love for poet Sahir Ludhianvi and the profound companionship she shared with artist Imroz. These nuanced aspects were beautifully expressed through the grace and rhythm of Kathak.
Book Launch and Distinguished Guests
On the occasion, the book “Ranjha Mera” by Sanjay Mehrotra Hamnawa, based on the life of Amrita Pritam, was formally released by distinguished guests including Padma Shri awardees Vidya Bindu Singh and Krishna Kanhai, along with Dr. Purnima Pandey and other eminent personalities.
The programme also honored 11 literary luminaries with the “Amrita Pritam Samman,” recognizing their contributions to literature and cultural enrichment. Among those felicitated were Padma Shri Dr. Vidya Bindu Singh, Prof. Ravi Bhatt, Dr. Amita Dubey, Himanshu Vajpayee, Atif Hanif, Sanjay Malhotra Hamnawa, Ms. Payal Soni, Satya Singh, Dr. Karuna Pandey, Dr. Shweta Srivastava, and Sujata Rajni.
A Collective Artistic Effort
The musical dimension of the production was enriched by the soulful vocals of Pt. Dharmanath Mishra, accompanied by the rhythmic tabla of Pt. Ravinath Mishra and the melodious flute of Deependra Kunwar. Surbhi Singh, along with her disciples—including Isha Ratan, Misha Ratan, Ankita Mishra, Ankita Singh, Akanksha Pandey, Anjul, Piyush, Anubhav, Srishti, Mahesh Chandra Deva, Vikas Dubey, Akhilesh, Aarti, Sundar, Ishika, Mansi, Sangeeta, Seema, and 25 performers in total—brought the narrative vividly to life on stage.
The stage design by Shakeel, lighting by Govind, and makeup by Manoj and Shaheer effectively recreated the historical milieu of Amrita Pritam’s era. The backstage arrangements were managed by Sahara Bano and Ujjwal, while Arjit Agrawal and Divakar supported the musical coordination.
Celebration of Literature and Art
The evening concluded with heartfelt appreciation from art lovers and dignitaries present, including Cultural Quest President J.B. Singh, Vice President Keshav Nath Tripathi, Treasurer Ramugrah Shukla, and other members. The audience lauded the innovative experiment of blending shayari and Kathak into a cohesive dance narrative and expressed enthusiasm for witnessing more such creative explorations in the future.
“Azaad Rooh” stood as a powerful tribute to Amrita Pritam’s indomitable spirit—an artistic celebration of a woman whose words continue to echo across generations, now immortalized through the timeless language of Kathak.
