Jammu, July 30
Natrang presented ‘Free Style Gawahi’, a new play in Hindi in its weekly theatre series, Sunday Theatre today at its Studio Theatre here in Kachi Chawni, Jammu. The play has been written by Kaka Haathrasi and was directed by Neeraj Kant. The publicity of the play was designed by Vanshika Pandoh. The play begins with a scene in the courtroom, where a Marwari Seth Jhandamal tearfully tells his lawyer Sharma that his witness Dharampal has died today and now who will testify? Lawyer Sharma smilingly says that there is no dearth of witnesses these days, Jhandamal gets some relief hearing this.
Sharma arranges for a witness named Satyapal, whose profession is to give false testimony. Seth Jhandamal, while preparing to testify, tells Satyapal that Jhaulal’s father Khaulal took Rs 1 lakh from him and the interest on interest has increased to Rs 5 lakh and his witness Dharampal has also died today. Satyapal says that he doesn’t need to understand the case, he is expert in giving freestyle testimony.
As soon as the judge arrives, the proceedings of the case begin. Mr. Bhatnagar, counsel for the respondent, begins the question-answer session. When asked by Bhatnagar, Jhandamal produces a written document for evidence and Satyapal as a witness. Now the question-and-answer session with Satyapal begins, during which Satyapal does not give a clear answer to any of Bhatnagar’s questions. When asked by Bhatnagar, what does he do, what is the age of Khaulal, on what date the money was given, etc., Satyapal answers very cleverly, listening to which even the judge begins to believe that Satyapal’s testimony is true. In the end, Bhatnagar accuses Satyapal that this witness has come after being fixed in some rupees, for which he does not have any proof. An argument breaks out between both Sharma and Bhatnagar on this matter, seeing which the judge fines Bhatnagar five thousand rupees for insulting the lawyer and the court and decides in favour of the plaintiff. Satyapal, Sharma and Jhandamal rejoice. Natrang young artists who performed in the play included Chirag Anand, Vedhant Suri, Gopi Sharma, Abir Beri, Abhimanyu Choudhary and Sumit Singh Bandaral. Lights and Music of the play were operated by Neeraj Kant. The presentations were done by Mahikshit Singh and the show was coordinated by Mohd. Yaseen.
