‘Fireplace’ Stirs Delhi With Raw Memories Of 1990 Kashmir Pain

Kala Sankul’s core vision remains clear: to connect art with social sensitivity, public dialogue, and the human spirit.

In this spirit, the group staged its latest theatrical production, Fireplace, a performance that created a deep emotional silence and lingered in the minds of the audience long after the curtains fell. The event opened with a ceremonial lamp-lighting.

Among those present were Abhijeet Gokhale, National Organising Secretary of Sanskar Bharati; P.K. Mohanty, Registrar of the National School of Drama; the play’s director, Rohit Tripathi; and convenor Raj Upadhyay.

Poet Rajesh Jain ‘Chetan’, Executive President of Sanskar Bharati Delhi Province, attended the event.

Music practitioner Sharad Mani Tripathi, President of Sanskar Bharati Gorakh Province, also marked his distinguished presence.

Addressing the gathering, chief guest Abhijeet Gokhale said, “We must never forget the pain of Kashmir 1990, but we must stand united to bring a new dawn.”

His words resonated deeply with the soul of the play, which revisits collective memory and unspoken pain rather than serving merely as a dramatic performance.

Art Echoes Truth

Fireplace presents the tragedy of Kashmir in 1990 not through anger or accusation, but through humane grief and the quiet suffering of displaced lives.

Written by Dr Rajiv Mishra, the play expresses loss, violence, and shattered homes with simplicity and honesty.

Director Rohit Tripathi chose a restrained, sensitive approach, avoiding exaggeration and letting the raw emotions speak for themselves.

The production makes it clear that the play targets no community; instead, it stands with the innocent victims who bore the wounds of history without fault.

The cast brought the narrative to life with striking conviction. As Shekhar Raina, Rohit Tripathi portrayed inner collapse with subtlety. Vipin Jagga as Kaleem Dar offered balance and compassion.

Ashutosh Banerjee as Rahul Raina delivered sharp emotional intensity, while Anamika Sagar as Sarita Dutt conveyed deep sorrow that gripped the audience. At moments, the anguish on stage felt as though it spilt directly into the breath of the viewers.

The technical team played a vital role in shaping the production’s impact.

Mukesh Jha’s lighting, the set design by Ayushi Tripathi and Tiyara Tripathi, Naresh Kumar’s music, and Chandrakanta’s costume work collectively created an immersive, emotionally charged environment.

The event’s success was supported by the efforts of Shyam Kumar, Munmun, Sneha Mukherjee, Harshit Goyal, and Pradeep Pathak.

Vishwadeep’s graceful stage anchoring and Raj Upadhyay’s vote of thanks added to the evening’s elegance.

The programme concluded with a Shanti Mantra, bringing a meaningful and thought-provoking event to a serene end.

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