40 theatre artists of Valley awarded

More than 40 prominent artists of valley today awarded by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for their outstanding performance in Anual “Kashmir Drama Festival” held here during 2009. Prominent Theatrist and Member Legislative Council Vijay Bakya was Chief Guest on the occasion while as Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, Secretary Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art Culture and Languages was also present on the occasion. Vijay Bakya in his address stated that Kashmir has remained a hub of theatre and performing arts activities since centuries. He added that The “Bhand Pather”, “Bach Nagma”, “Hafiz Nagma “and other forms of performing arts needs urgent documentation and dissemination from Government side so that this richest traditions could be preserved and propagated properly . He congratulated the artists who were been awarded during the ceremony and hoped that their outstanding contributions will continuous in coming days also.  Zaffar Iqbal Manhas in his address stated that from this year we are going to revive the Annual Drama Festival pigment in each and every district of the State which will go a long way in promoting theatre and performing art in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the Academy is providing Annual Financial Assistance in favour of 150 Theatre and Performing Arts groups in the State while as, this year we have recommended about 100 groups for grant of Financial Assistance from Department of Culture Govt. of India so that the dying forms of Theatre and Performing Arts could be revived and preserved for all generations to come.

The Kashmiri Play “Taqdear Saz” written by Late Ali Mohammad and Directed by Mushtaq Ali Khan adjudged best among Eight Plays which were being staged during Annual Kashmir Drama Festival. The second award goes to Kashmiri Play “Achar Kaal” written by Yaqoob Dilkash and directed by Reshi Rashid.
The eminent director Mushtaq Ali Khan was chosen as best director of the Festival for his play “Taqdear Saz” presented by Actors Creative Theatre, Srinagar He also bagged Best Designer award for the same play. The best costume of award goes in favour of Shri Ghulam Nabi Mala for “Achar Kaal production. Best Makeup award goes in favour of Shri Tariq Wani for the play “Taqdear Saz”. Raja Maqbool of Azad Dramatic Club, Raipura, Ganderbal Awraed with Best Male Actor Award for his role in the play “Fathe” as Fathe, Best Actor Female award goes in favour of Amina Banoo for her role as “Moauj Kashir in the play “Achar Kaal”.
The award for second Best Director, Set Designer, Costume Designer, Makeup, Music goes in favour of Reshi Rashid, Nayeem Karnahi, Shafiya/Kausar, Sajad Qureshi and Ghulam Hassan Bhat respectively. Second Best Actor Male and Female awards goes in favour of Farooq Shiekh and Shabnum Shah
The other major awards in different categories goes in favour of Raja Maqbool, Gh. Mohammad, Mohammad Rafi, Fayaz Ahmad, Raja Maqbool, Mohammad Ashraf Nagoo, Mohammad Shafi, Manzoor Ahmad Dar, Ashraf Mir, Sajad Qureshi, Qazafi Khan, Ashraf Bhat, Gh. Qadir Lone, Gh.Mohi-u-din, Shadi Koul, Gh. Rasool Mir, Gul Javeed, Fayaz Ahmad Ganaie, Jamela Mir, Shaheen Reshi and Shahida Alvi. Each Award carries Cash Prize, a Shawl, Certificate and a citation.