Kathmandu:

In memory of prominent conservationists who had died in the helicopter crash in Taplejung last year, a commemoration programme was organised by Team for Nature and Wildlife (TNW) along with The Himalayan Theatre (THT) on September 21. It was also TNW’s first anniversary. A drama titled …For Tomorrow was staged at Gurukul, which was followed by a candle lighting programme in remembrance of those who had died.

The drama revolved around various issues prevalent in the villages of Nepal. It specially dealt with environmental problems and intended to create awareness about it. It focused on how villagers toiled day and night just to run their day-to-day lives whereas people from the cities went to the villages and took away goods from the forests worth crores. The lives of these innocent villagers were at risk for the financial gain of a few individuals.

It also showed how these uneducated people can be easily brain-washed even to the point of burning up their entire village, their traditional values and beliefs which were very important. It showed how foreigners appreciate the natural beauty our country and give emphasis to natural products, and it is us who have opted for chemical fertilisers and other harmful means and are leading our country towards destruction.

The reality that the rich and the ones with power can get away with anything, while the poor and innocent get nothing has also been depicted. Be it in villages or cities, they are the ones who are condemned to a life of sorrow and misery.

The play was a directorial debut for Rabindra Singh Baniya, who has delved into various issues all at once and has yet done it in a well co-ordinated manner. He has also been successful in bringing out the comic as well as sentimental sides in the characters well.

Writer JB Ruwali has incorporated humour even in serious issues and made it interesting. The play consisted of both old and new actors, while the experienced ones did not fail to capture the sentiments, even some new ones have done a good job.