Ritanjali Hastir, Associate Editor, 2nd July, Shimla, 2016
“Gur Ka Halwa” a play highlighting the problem of farmers in current times was staged at the historic Gaiety Theater, Shimla. The play was organized by the The North Zone Cultural Center Patiala in association with Department of Language, Art and Culture Himachal Pradesh. Acharya Devvrat graced the occasion with his presence as the chief guest. He appreciated the efforts made by the artist to bring forth the problem of farmers and how ignorance can be a root cause for wrong decision. He congratulated the team for their performances.
The story of the play revolved around a poor farmer who was in debt to a rich money lender. The farmer was forced to mortgage his wife’s jewellery to meet his daily life struggle may that be of providing basic needs like food to family and education to his daughter or medical treatment for his old father. The man’s patience gives up as the money lender offers to buy his young daughter and the farmer and his wife decides to murder their daughter by giving her poisonous Gur Ka Halwa.
The play raises questions that thought the government is providing with various schemes for farmers but still many are not aware about the benefit and hence are forced to end their lives or make wrong decisions. The farmer is enlightened about the schemes and hence he is filled with new hope.
