11TH AADISHAKTI PREMNATH KHANNA FESTIVAL CONCLUDED

11^TH AADISHAKTI PREMNATH KHANNA FESTIVAL CONCLUDED

31-JULY-ENG 1

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA------------------------Today, on the fourth and final day of the 11th Aadishakti Premnath Khanna Festival, a powerful and successful performance of the play *Woh Saat Din* (Those Seven Days) was staged at the local Premchand Rangshala. The play was written by Mamta Mehrotra, adapted by Brahmadev Pandey, conceptualized by Rajveer Gunjan, and directed by Anamika (presented by the theatre group Rang Gurukul).

The plot of the play delivers a scathing critique of the discrimination, inequality, and unjust treatment meted out by parents to their daughters compared to their sons in society.

Daughters often feel deeply resentful when, despite providing far more care and nursing to their parents than sons do, they are still met with neglect, indifference, and unfair attitudes.

During those seven days when the mother was ill, she pinned her hopes on her sons, yet they remained indifferent; meanwhile, the daughter provided all the care. Yet, the mother’s heart did not soften. Instead of offering a few words of love, she simply handed over a ring as the "price" for the service rendered, considering her duty fulfilled. At this, the daughter erupts in anguish: "Is this the punishment for being your daughter, Ma? ...

Even when my brother didn't show up, your love for him remained unchanged, while I didn't receive even a single word of affection... Why such injustice? ...

Why such discrimination?" ... She breaks down and sobs uncontrollably.

"...Those seven days—this is the punishment for being your daughter. This ring is the price of my tears... Ma has put a price tag on love. Give me back my childhood, Ma..."

.....The mother feels remorse. She realizes her mistake. "I am the guilty one... Daughter, I gave everything to my son. I abandoned you. Yet, when hard times struck, it was you who sat by my bedside... Even God won't forgive me, daughter... Please forgive me."

"I was never a burden to you, Ma. I was never a burden...

Neither the son nor the daughter is at fault." "...She who discriminates between a daughter and a son is at fault..."

A play based on a deeply moving and sensitive story, featuring powerful direction... it left the audience emotionally overwhelmed and deeply touched.

The stage was anchored by Shubhangi Pandey. Distinguished citizens, intellectuals, art lovers, theatre artists, journalists, writers, and teachers—including Indubhushan Sahay, Principal S.N. Upadhyay, and senior poet, litterateur, and journalist Dr. Bindeshwar Prasad Gupta—were present on the occasion.