𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐕𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐲𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭

Jammu, May 31: As part of the ongoing Saptahik Rangdhara theatre series by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), the impactful play Vaishya was performed on Saturday at Abhinav Theatre, Jammu, deeply moving the audience.

Written, designed, and directed by Shazi Khan (Dilshad Ahmed), the play tells a powerful story of a woman’s fight against social stigma and injustice. The narrative begins with her death and a protest against being branded a “Vaishya” (prostitute), then unfolds in flashbacks showing her transformation from a devoted pregnant wife to a woman abandoned by society. After her husband’s premature death, she is rejected by her in-laws, becomes homeless, and falls into poverty. Desperate to feed her child, she turns to theft, suffers exploitation, and eventually is forced into prostitution to survive. Tragically, her child later rejects her out of shame. The play ends with her challenging society’s hypocrisy, questioning why children are abandoned in orphanages and elderly parents in old age homes.

Dr. Javaid Rahi, divisional head of JKAACL Jammu, honored the troupe with a memento, praising their powerful performance and dedication to socially relevant theatre. The cast featured a remarkable lead performance by Ridhima Kalsi, supported by Saksham, Tushar Sharma, Vishal Hans, and others, enriching the story. Technical aspects were expertly handled, with lighting by Pankaj Sharma and Kamakshya Dogra, music by Lokesh Chandar and Jung Bahadur, and choreography by Umesh Kumar. Set and props were designed by Irfana Bano and Sheetal Kalotra, costumes by Neha Sharma and Tushar Sharma. The production was directed by Shashank Singh Rajput, coordinated by Tara Chand, and hall management was overseen by Team NDKM and JKAACL staff.