Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Mar, 08
Aarushi Thakur Rana a young artists of the state of Jammu & Kashmir has done proud to the state by wining ‘She Inspires’ Award-2019 in Bright Artist category award the function of which was held at British Parliament, London here this evening. This prestigious International award is instituted by Inspiring Indian Women-a U K based organisation which has over 5000 members world over which aims not only to promote Indian culture across the globe but also but also a healthy platform for Indian women to motivate inspire, and support others.
Aarushi Thakur Rana, is a young professional Theatre Director, Writer and Actor based in United Kingdom whose directorial debuts have been performed in the most prestigious Kala Ghoda Arts festival, Mumbai in 2018, at Tagore Hall Chandigarh in 2018 and at the Kingdom of Dreams, Delhi in 2017 has for far written and directed more than thirty full-length plays and participated in 100 plays which have been performed both in India and abroad.
Daughter of Deepika and Balwant Thakur, Aarushi has recently joined the productions team of Birmingham Hippodrome, UK which is one of the biggest theatres in United Kingdom and is assisting in the production of their mega production, ‘West Side Story’, where over 1500 people auditioned. She is also the artistic producer of festivals like Chinese New Year, St Patrick’s Day in Birmingham. Having graduated from one of the India’s most prestigious academic institutes St Stephens College, Delhi, Aarushi went on to pursue her academic interests by completing a Masters in International politics from the University of Leicester in the UK. Despite her strong intellectual background and academic prowess Aarushi decided to explore the unconventional field of the creative arts. She underwent training workshops conducted by NSD, Delhi in 2016 and Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, London in 2012. Her first play was based on a world-famous classic, Great Expectations, which was adapted and directed by her at the age of 21. The audiences applaud and standing ovation, set the wheels in motion of creative career which only grew from strength to strength and Aarushi never looked back. Now Aarushi Thakur Rana’s illustrious career consists of more than 15 full length plays all written and directed by her. Aarushi’s work is a unique unification of classic western literature presented and adapted in Hindi. Some of her most appreciated work includes adaptions of Charles Dicken’s Great Expectations, Olver Twist, Rashomon and Matilda. Her inclination and enthusiasm for history led her to direct plays presenting the life events of Henry VIII and his second wife Anne Boleyn in English. Furthermore, recently Aarushi has made the transition from adapting classic literature to autobiographical theatre, The Uncrowned Poet the title of her most recent production follows the story of an unsung hero of Jammu and Kashmir’s history. Her forte however, is the picturesque description and the lively presentation of William Shakespeare’s work. Aarushi has with great success translated and performed A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night in Hindi across India in highly reputed theatrical institutes, including more commercial institutes such as Kingdom Of Dreams in Delhi. Her most recent project “In Her Shoes” is a dramatic representation inspired by real psychological life events, surrounding a girl suffering from PCOS, child abuse and the mystic revelations which instil her self-confidence. The play ‘In Her Shoes’ scripted and Directed by her has had three shows in Jammu, one show in Amritsar at Naatshala, another show at Indore and two shows at Mumbai one at the closing of Kalaghoda Arts Festival and another at Navy Nagar which has a sitting capacity of thousand people in the auditorium and was greeted with applaud and honours.
Aarushi Thakur Rana has very eloquently broken barriers within the creative field in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, her unique approach to theatre is appreciated by audiences of all ages and has particularly evoked inspiration amongst the youth of the state. Aarushi is undoubtedly a creative forced to be reckoned with. As an actor, she has performed in more than 50 plays, both performing nationally as well as internationally. In the year 2011, Aarushi performed at Russia and Germany where she acted in the play Ghumayee, Written & Directed by Padmashree Balwant Thakur. In 2014, she was awarded the young woman achiever award by the then Deputy Commissioner Of Jammu & Kashmir for her contribution in theatre. In the year 2016, Aarushi was awarded the first Prem Jamwal youth innovation award given by Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust. In 2017, Aarushi was awarded a certificate of appreciation by the first lady of Northern Naval command for her latest play ‘In Her Shoes’ which was performed at Navy Nagar, Mumbai. She was also awarded a certificate of appreciation at Amritsar for the same show. Aarushi has also acted in a movie based on Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of J&K where she is playing Maharani Jindh Kaur of Lahore.
