Jammu, May 15, 2026: In a grand and emotionally charged celebration held at the jam-packed Abhinav Theatre, Natrang marked its 44th Foundation Day with a mega cultural extravaganza, honouring the stalwarts whose dedication and artistic brilliance transformed Natrang into a globally acknowledged cultural institution. The honours were presented by Chief Guest Dr. Devansh Yadav, IAS, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation.Those who were honoured on this historic occasion included Arvind Anand, Sanjeev Luthra, Suraj Singh, Vijay Bhat, Neeraj Kant, Anil Tickoo, Sanjeev Gupta, Pankaj Sharma, Rakesh Kumar, Subash Jamwal, Vikrant Sharma, Sumeet Sharma, Chander Shekhar, Suraj Ganjoo, Mohd. Yaseen, Rahul Singh, Pawan Verma, Sunny Mujoo, Palshin Dutta, Meenakshi Bhagat, Mahikshit Singh, Shivam Singh, Kananpreet Kaur, Kushal Bhat, Sanket, Vishal Sharma, Aadesh Dhar, Mitali Sarmal, Mihir Gujral, Sheetal Sen, Gopi Sharma, Brijesh Avatar Sharma and Soujanya Shekhar
The celebrations commenced with a deeply inspiring welcome address by the founder of Natrang, Padma Shri Balwant Thakur, who took the audience through the extraordinary and eventful 43-year journey of the institution. In the opening segment of his address titled “Had There Not Been Natrang”, Balwant Thakur highlighted the unparalleled contribution of Natrang in placing Dogri theatre, language, and culture on the global cultural map.
He stated that had Natrang not existed, Dogri theatre would never have attained international recognition. It was Natrang that created history by representing India at the prestigious Frankfurt International Theatre Festival in Germany, becoming the first Indian theatre group to achieve this distinction, while Dogri earned the honour of becoming the first Indian language to reach that milestone.
Reflecting upon Natrang’s remarkable achievements, Balwant Thakur shared that over 7,600 events and participation in more than 385 national and international theatre and cultural festivals have established Natrang as one of India’s most vibrant and respected cultural institutions. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of artists, technicians, writers, musicians, designers, and supporters whose tireless dedication transformed Natrang into a global cultural brand.
Over the last 43 years, Natrang has brought the theatre movement of Jammu & Kashmir into national and international prominence. Its acclaimed productions travelled extensively across India and abroad, earning accolades in countries including Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Turkey, Hungary, Poland, South Africa, Mauritius, the UAE, and several Central Asian nations.
Balwant Thakur emphasized that Natrang revolutionized the cultural landscape of the region through pioneering initiatives such as Children’s Theatre, Theatre Camps, Weekly Sunday Theatre, Theatre Laboratory, Theatre Repertory, Script Bank, Documentation Centre, and mega productions featuring over 500 performers. He proudly recalled that in 2023, Natrang represented Jammu & Kashmir before global audiences during the G20 Summit cultural presentations and received worldwide appreciation for its outstanding performances.
Narrating the institution’s inspiring journey, he observed that before the establishment of Natrang on May 15, 1983, Jammu had never witnessed a professionally managed cultural institution of such scale and consistency. Despite numerous challenges and difficult times, Natrang never ceased its creative activities. “There has not been a single day in the last 43 years when Natrang was not working,” he remarked emotionally.
On the occasion, he also expressed profound gratitude to his wife Deepika Thakur and daughters Aarushi and Gauri for their unwavering support in strengthening his artistic mission and vision.
Natrang was formally established with the presentation of two short plays — Neeli Jheel and Nanhen Kandhey Pair — directed by Balwant Thakur at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu. The inaugural productions featured actors Vijay Atri, Aasha Arora, Arvind Anand, Mohan Singh, Prabodh Jamwal, and Arun Sharma.
Over four decades, Natrang produced several landmark plays that left an indelible impact on the Indian theatre scene, including Bawa Jitto, Ghumayee, Mahabhoj, Aap Hamare Hain Kaun, Chauraha, Poster, Mere Hisse Ki Dhoop Kahan Hai, Sainyan Bhaye Kotwal, Raktbeej, Comedy of Terrors, Suno Eh Kahani, Kanjoos, Holi, Mind Games, Richard III, Choona Hai Aasmaan, Mata Ki Kahani, Gulab Gatha, Rangla Jammu, and Kaun Nachaye Naach among many others.
Natrang has also emerged as a nurturing ground for artistic talent, producing more than 2,000 actors, many of whom went on to establish successful careers in films and television. Prominent among them include Bhanu Goswami, Anjali Abrol, Sunil Palwal, Harish Khanna, Neelu Dogra, Tejasvi Sharma, Ekta Kaul, Mansi Sharma, Vikram Sharma, Mridul Suri, Narender Sachchar, Arvind Anand, Mohit Sharma, Pankush Verma, Ashok Verma, Vrinda Gujral, and Satyam Mehra.
The institution also boasts seven alumni from the National School of Drama and seven Masters in Dramatics. Additionally, four artists pursued prestigious international theatre studies abroad, including Harish Khanna at the London School of Acting and Speech, Ashish Nijhawan at the London International School of Performing Arts, Aarushi Thakur at the University of Leicester and Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London, and Vikram Sharma at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, New York.
Among the artists with the highest participation in Natrang’s productions are Neeraj Kant, Anil Tickoo, Suresh Kumar, Arvind Anand, Sanjeev Gupta, Vikrant Sharma, Sumeet Sharma, Pankaj Sharma, Juhi Singh, Sat Salaria, Vijay Bhat, Dimple Sharma, Mohit Sharma, Mohd. Yaseen, Rahul Singh, Gaurav Jamwal, Pawan Verma, Subash Jamwal, Gauri Thakur, and Sajra Qadir.
The institution has earned numerous national and international honours over the years. These include prestigious recognitions such as the Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, Sanskriti Award, National Fellowships, and International Fellowships awarded to Balwant Thakur, Anil Tickoo, Harish Khanna, Ashish Nijhawan, Deepika B. Thakur, Neeraj Kant, Mohd. Yaseen, Rahul Singh, Sajra Qadir, Shivam Singh, Meenakshi Bhagat, Brijesh Avtar Sharma, Kanan Kaur, Adesh Dhar, Kritika Bhau, Vrinda Gujral, Priyal Gupta, Supriya Gorka and several others.
Balwant Thakur also acknowledged the immense contributions of Suraj Singh and Brij Mohan in music, Suraj Ganjoo and Ankush Lakhnotra in lighting design, and Chander Shekhar in publicity design for strengthening the institution artistically and creatively.
Highlighting another major milestone, he recalled that in 2016, Natrang proudly showcased the cultural diversity of Jammu & Kashmir at London’s historic Trafalgar Square before an audience of more than 50,000 people, bringing immense pride to the region.
Sharing his future vision, Balwant Thakur revealed that Natrang dreams of establishing Jammu as an international destination for theatre and performing arts. The institution is now preparing to create an international-level theatre campus in Jammu featuring a state-of-the-art auditorium, studio theatres, theatre residences, a resource centre, and a dedicated children’s cultural complex.
He further noted that since 2023, Natrang has also ventured into the design and fabrication of cultural tableaux and, within a short span, created history by winning top honours at both Union Territory and national levels.
Concluding his address, Balwant Thakur thanked every admirer, artist, patron, and supporter who contributed to the institution’s historic journey and expressed confidence that Natrang’s mission of cultural excellence would continue to flourish for generations to come.
“The show must go on,” he declared to thunderous applause from the audience.