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April 15-17

ABOUT THE SOCIETY

ACT – BRIEF PROFILE

ACT – For A Better Tomorrow

Has been working in the areas of Theatre, Music, Films, Literature and other Cultural Events.

Recently the society has resolved to expand its activities and work in other sectors like Education, Health, Poverty Eradication, Gender Equality, Sustainability & Environment, Clean Water & Sanitation, Working for Specially Challenged People, Animal Care, Disaster Management & Rescue Operations, Media for Development, Producing Audio-Visual Content for Social Awareness and other social cause.

This is one of the oldest, largest and most active organisations of Kashmir. It has successfully completed ‘48’ years of its activities.

It was registered in1976, under the Societies Registration Act of 1998 (1941 A. D.) vide No 336-S of 1976.

Here are some of the prominent highlights of our achievements / activities for the last 20 years.

AWARDS

  • ‘Awarded’ for unparalleled contribution in the field of Theatre by ‘Chinar Art Foundation’, at Jammu (17th March 2018).
  • “Infotel Award” for meritorious services in the field of “Theatre”, presented by Hon’ble Minister of J&K State, Mohtarma Asiya Naqash, at Srinagar (12th Nov. 2017).
  • Presented “Award of Honour” for meritorious services in the field of Theatre and Film Making by “All Artists Welfare Association Jammu”. The award was presented jointly by State President BJP Shri Sat Sharma and Mr. Aziz Hajni, Secretary, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages at Jammu (22nd Dec. 2016).
  • Received “Infotel Award” for meritorious services in the field of “Theatre”. The Award by presented by Hon’ble Minister of J&K State, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir at Baramulla (Dec. 2014).
  •  “Athwas Award” for meritorious services in the field of “Theatre”. The award was presented by Hon’ble Minister of J&K State, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar at Jammu (April 2011).
  • Conferred “Award of Excellence” for “Best contribution in Theatre” by Travel Agents Association of Kashmir. The award was presented by Hon’ble Minister of J&K State, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora, at Srinagar (October 2009).
  •  Got “Best Direction” and “Best Set Designer” for the stage play “Taqdeer  saaz” in the Theatre Festival of J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. The play was also awarded Best Production and bagged nine awards which were presented by Shri Vijay Baqaya at Srinagar (25th May 2009).
  • Got “Special prize of Best Direction” and “Best Set Designer” for the stage play “EK POTLI ARMANOON KI” in the Theatre Festival of J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages. The play was also awarded Best Production (jointly), and won a total of eight awards. It was presented by Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Saifuddin Soz, at Srinagar (2006-07).
  • Won “Best Set Designing” award for the play “Jheel Bula Rahi Hai” in Doordarshan Srinagar’s Theatre Festival. The play, was also awarded “3rd Best Production” and got a total of four awards. The award was presented by His Excellency, Gen. S. K. Sinha, Governor of J&K State at Srinagar (2005).

STAGE PLAYS

The Society has produced around two dozen stage plays. The prominent ones include:

  1. “Jheel Bula Rahi Hai” (July 2005) – an Urdu play, written by Ali Mohammad Lone, was performed in the Doordarshan                  Theatre Festival, held at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
  2. “Natuk Kariv Band” (13th Sept. 2005) – a Kashmiri play written by Prof. Hari Krishen Koul, was performed in the auditorium of Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
  3. “Jheel Bula Rahi Hai” (25th Sept. 2005) – the play was performed in the auditorium of Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
  4. “PAGAL KOUN” (March 2006) – an Urdu play written by Zahid Hussain, was performed in Anhad Theatre Festival, held in the Auditorium of Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
  5. “EK POTLI ARMANOON KI” (Nov. 2006) – an Urdu play written by Showkat Shehri, was performed in the Annual Drama Festival of J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, held at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
  6. “Teli Chha Marnui” (27th March 2008) – a play written in Kashmiri by Faruq Masudi, was performed on the World Theatre Day, in the Auditorium of S. P. College, Srinagar.
  7. “Taqdeer Saaz” (March 2009) – a Kashmiri play written by Ali Mohammad Lone was performed in the Annual Drama Festival of J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, held at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
  8. “ZAAL TA ZOOLAN” (March 2009) – a play written in Kashmiri by Dr. Manzoor Nazar was performed in the auditorium of Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
  9. “SANYASI” (May 2012) – a Hindustani play written by Rabindra Nath Tagore and translated by me Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan was performed in the auditorium of Radio Kashmir Srinagar, in the Tagore Theatre Festival, organised by J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.
  10. “HUM ZINDA HAIN” (4th Feb. 2013) – an Urdu play written by Showkat Shehri, was performed in the Bukhari Hall of A. S. College, Srinagar.
  11. “HUM ZINDA HAIN” (May 2012) – the play was performed in the Auditorium of S. P. College, Srinagar.
  12. “DEEWANA BANA DE” (April 2015) – an Urdu play on the life and works of Begum Akhtar, written Mushtaaque Ali Ahmad Khan & Ashraf Aadil, was performed in the Seminar Hall of J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Srinagar.
  13. “BA KUS CHHUS” (27th March 2016) – a Kashmiri play written by Dr. Sohan Kaul, was performed in “Spring Theatre Festival”, held in Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
  14. “NEGATIVE” (23rd June 2021) – a Kashmiri short play written by Shaikh Haneef, was performed, on the floating stage, in the Dal Lake, Srinagar.
  15. “Jheel Bula Rahi Hai” (29th Oct. 2021) – an Urdu play, written by Ali Mohammad Lone, was performed, in connection with “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsov – Iconic Week”, in the auditorium of SKICC, Srinagar.
  16. “Jheel Bula Rahi Hai” (1st Dec. 2021) – the Urdu play, written by Ali Mohammad Lone, was performed, in Tagore Hall, Srinagar. It was also streamed live on different social media platforms.
  17. “AMEER KHUSROV” (30TH May 2022) – an Urdu play, written by Gulzar Ganai, was performed, in the Sufi Festival, organised by J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, held at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
  18. “sabarmati ka sant” (2nd Oct. 2023) – an Urdu play on Mahatama Gandhi, written by Dr. Sohan Kaul, was performed, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art Culture and Languages, at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
  19. “RONG MAnZ KONG PHOL” (11th Feb. 2024) – a Kashmiri play, written by Seth Rafi, was performed in the festival of JASHN E SHEEN, at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
  20. “jheel bula rahi hai” (26th Jan. 2025) – an Urdu play, was performed, on the occasion of Republic Day, at the Chhatabal Military Garrison, Srinagar.
  21. “pAGLA GHODA” (26th Jan. 2025) – a Hindi play, written by Badal Sarkar, was performed, on the occasion of Republic Day, at the Chhatabal Military Garrison, Srinagar.
  22. “PAGAL KOUN” – (27th and 28th Feb. 2025) – an Urdu play, written by Zahid Hussain, was performed, in the Auditorium of S. P. College, Srinagar and Tagore Hall, Srinagar.

PROMOTIONAL COMPAIGNS

  •  Managed events for NTPC at Centaur Hotel, Srinagar (June 2007 &        June 2009).
  • Managed events relating to Tourism in Kashmir at different spots like    Sharshali and Litter (Dist Pulwama), etc (March 2012).
  • Successfully managed a series of ‘Nukud Nataks’ for AIRCEL in Rural and Urban areas of Kashmir for 15 days (May 2016).

WORKSHOPS

  • Conducted a 30-Day Production Oriented Theatre Workshop, in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages and North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala. Also performed a play “NIRVAAN” on the completion of the workshop (Sep/Oct 2009).
  • Conducted a 3-Week “Production oriented Theatre Workshop”. It was financed by Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi and supported by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, Radio Kashmir Srinagar and Indian Theatre Alliance. Under this initiative a play “NEEL RAJ”, in Hindustani, was also performed (March 2012).
  • Conducted a 3- weeks Theatre Workshop, ‘Script to Stage’. in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages and North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala. Few scenes from two plays Mohamadu Wald Lassoo in Kashmiri, (written by Ali Mohammad Lone and based on the short story written by Akhtar Mohi ud Din) and Pagal Koun in Urdu, (written by Zahid Hussain) were also performed on the concluding day of the (23rd Feb to 19th March 2023).

BOOK RELEASE FUNCTIONS

  • Conducted several Book Release Functions at Hotel Shahenshah, Hotel Al Mehar. Hotel Meridian and at the Auditorium of All India   Radio, Srinagar.

FESTIVALS

  • Conducted a 3 days ‘Spring Theatre Festival’ (Edition One), in which 17 (Seventeen) groups from Kashmir, Jammu and Punjab participated (27th March to 29th March 2016).
  • Conducted 4 (four) Editions of ‘Kashmir World Film Festival’, which got an overwhelming response from the film lovers of the Valley, especially the youth and students from Colleges and Universities (Two editions in 2017 and two in 2018).
  • Conducted 2 (two) Editions of ‘Istaqbaal e Chila e Kalaan’ (the winter festival), which got an overwhelming response in both the editions. It was organised at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, from 19th Dec to 21st Dec in 2020 and 2021.
  • Conducted a 7 days ‘Spring Theatre Festival’ (Edition Two) in which 24 (Twenty Four) groups from Kashmir, Jammu and Some of the Schools and Colleges of Srinagar participated (27th March to 2th April 2022).

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Actively engaged in Artistic & Literary activities. Did management of events of felicitation & interaction for following personalities of Theatre, Film and Television:

  1. Nandita Das – Theatre Personality, Film Maker & Social Activist (in Broadway Hotel, Srinagar, Aug. 2009).
  2. Anjana Sood- Television writer from Mumbai (in Shahenshah Hotel, Srinagar, Sep. 2009).
  3. Naseeruddin Shah – Theatre & Film Actor (in Broadway Hotel, Srinagar – Sep. 2009).
  4. Aziz Qureshi- Theatre Director from IPTA, New Delhi (in Tagore Hall, Srinagar, Oct. 2009).
  5. Ashok Jailkhani- Theatre Personality & ADG Doordarshan from New Delhi (in Hotel Lalit Grand, Srinagar, Mar. 2010).
  6. Ismail Darbar – Music Director from Mumbai (in Shahenshah Hotel, Mar. 2010).

Have been organising ‘International Theatre Day’ every year on 27th March in Srinagar, continuously for the last 21 (Twenty-One) years, wherein Theatre experts, Theatre workers & Theatre Lovers have been participating in large numbers.

DRAWING COMPETITIONS

Conducted Drawing Competitions for Children:

  1. First ‘Drawing Competition’ after lockdown was held at Kokarnag on 6th October 2020. Children from different schools of nearby areas participated in this competition.
  2. Second Drawing Competition was held at J&K Yateem Khanah, Bemina, Srinagar on 15th Oct 2020, in which children from the said institution participated. The management of the institute was overwhelmed with this initiative and wanted more such programmes to be planned with children in future.