Rashmirathi written by Ramdhari Singh ‘Dinkar’, is a celebrated Hindi epic poem focusing on the life of Karna from the Mahabharata. The poem portrays Karna as a tragic hero of immense talent, honour, and generosity, whose life is overshadowed by social stigma and fate. Abandoned at birth by Kunti, raised in a low-caste household, fighting lifelong discrimination to establish his merit as a warrior, he remains deprived of the honour he deserved, finding a true friend only in Duryodhana, to whom he pledges absolute loyalty. The narrative follows his struggles, his prowess, his sacrifice, his unwavering friendship, elevating Karna as a symbol of defiance against societal prejudice.
Writer
Padma Bhushan Ramdhari Singh Dinkar (1908 – 1974) was a celebrated Hindi poet, essayist, and academic, renowned as a “Rashtrakavi” (National Poet) for his fiery patriotic compositions during India’s freedom struggle. Dinkar’s literary career began in the pre-independence era, with early works like Renuka and Hunkar influencing the nationalist movement. His famous epic Rashmirathi and Kurukshetra blended mythological themes with contemporary political ideologies, balancing Gandhian philosophy with revolutionary zeal. He served as Vice-Chancellor of Bhagalpur University, and a Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from 1952 to 1964. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 1959 and the Jnanpith Award in 1972 for his masterpiece, Urvashi.
Director
Sumeet Sharma is an actor, director, and trainer. Actively engaged in theatre since 1993 with Natrang Jammu, under Padmashri Balwant Thakur, he has worked extensively on Theatre as a means of Education and Personality Development, conducting hundreds of workshops for children and adults. His plays have been staged in various national theatre festivals. He currently serves as a Drama Instructor at the Department of Students Welfare, University of Jammu, and promotes Indian culture and ethos among youth. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to theatre direction, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar in 2008.
Director’s Note
Mounting a dramatic presentation of Rashmirathi proved to be a deeply enlightening experience for the team. The production became possible through the guidance and unwavering support of Prof. Umesh Rai, esteemed Vice Chancellor of the University of Jammu, transforming the project into a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all participants. Working with actors who had no prior stage experience emerged as a strength rather than a constraint, as their enthusiasm, openness, and dedication were boundless. The inherent power and depth of the text of Rashmirathi provided a clear creative direction, allowing the process to unfold organically. The director’s role was not to embellish the text but to help the actors internalize its spirit and truth, enabling them to live the characters with honesty and conviction.
Group
The Skill Incubation Innovation Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SIIEDC), University of Jammu advances a knowledge-based platform by integrating academic learning with industry engagement and entrepreneurial thinking. Functioning as a bridge between academia and the professional world, SIIEDC enhances employability through experiential learning and practical exposure. SIIEDC introduced the “Design Your Degree” program under the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme. Launched in 2023, this initiative aligns with NEP 2020 to offer flexibility, allowing students to create personalized, interdisciplinary pathways. Students get an opportunity to connect to their inner drum-beat in this programme, thus get substantial training of theatre in a planned manner.