Mohali:
Theatre enthusiasts in Punjab can now watch the acclaimed production ‘Hamare Ram’ free of cost, with the statewide performance series beginning in Mohali. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann attended the inaugural performance in the city on Friday, marking the start of a cultural programme that will take the production to 12 cities across the state.
The Punjab Government will organise 41 performances of the play during August and September. After its opening in Mohali, the production will travel to Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Amritsar, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Patiala, Ludhiana, Sangrur and Khanna.
The initiative was approved by the Punjab Cabinet earlier this year, when the government decided to organise performances of ‘Hamare Ram’ at multiple locations across the state. The programme was subsequently announced for the public as a free cultural event.
Actor Ashutosh Rana features in a leading role in the production, which presents the story and ideals associated with Lord Shri Ram through a theatrical narrative. Rather than being limited to a conventional retelling, the play explores conversations and lesser-known perspectives connected with the Ramayana.
At the Mohali performance, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the purpose of taking the production across Punjab was to make its cultural and philosophical themes accessible to people from different sections of society. He also emphasised the importance of preserving the state’s cultural heritage and providing opportunities for people to experience significant theatrical productions.
The decision to make the performances free is expected to make the production accessible to a much wider audience. Commercial performances of large-scale theatre productions can often carry significant ticket costs, while the state-supported programme will allow residents to attend without paying for entry.
The Mohali opening also marks the beginning of a wider cultural circuit that will cover different regions of Punjab over the next two months. The inclusion of cities from Malwa, Doaba and Majha is intended to take the production beyond a single urban centre and give audiences across the state an opportunity to watch it.
The production focuses on themes associated with Lord Ram, including truth, righteousness, compassion and unity. Government representatives have said that cultural programmes of this nature can provide a platform for traditional stories while presenting them in a format that connects with contemporary audiences.
The state government has also linked the programme with its broader efforts to promote Punjab’s cultural and spiritual heritage. Recent initiatives have included devotional programmes and events connected with important religious and historical occasions.
For Mohali, hosting the opening performance gives the city a prominent place in the statewide cultural programme. The inaugural show also brought together theatre audiences and public representatives as the production began its Punjab tour.
The performances are expected to continue through August and September, with the schedule covering the 12 selected cities. Residents interested in attending the shows will need to follow the announcements regarding dates, venues and entry arrangements in their respective cities. With 41 performances planned across Punjab, ‘Hamare Ram’ is set to become one of the state’s largest government-supported theatre programmes in recent years. Its opening in Mohali has now set the stage for the production’s journey through different parts of Punjab.
