News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know News India Times (July 18, 2026 - July 24, 2026) July 24, 2026 10 Community A R Rahman, National Symphony Orchestra Captivate Washington, Receive Standing Ovation M usic maestro A R Rahman captivated a packed audience during his concert with the National Symphony Orchestra atWolf Trap, earning a standing ovation. Presented soon after the recent United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations, the concert brought together Indian clas- sical music, Western symphonic arrange- ments and contemporary compositions in a format that reflected Rahman’s approach to music over the past three decades. Accompanied by the National Sympho- ny Orchestra, Rahman presented orches- tral versions of several of his composi- tions, with Indian instruments, classical vocals and live dance integrated into the production. The orchestral arrangements complemented the Indian musical ele- ments, creating a balanced sound that resonated throughout the evening, as per a press note. Rahman also shared the spotlight with his ensemble of singers and musicians, introducing each performer to the audience and giving them space to lead different sections of the concert. Their performances added depth to the evening and reflected the collaborative nature of the production. Another standout moment was an orchestral presentation from Rahman’s Ramayan project with composer Hans Zimmer. Enhanced by a graceful classi- cal Indian dance performance, the piece seamlessly blended mythology, sweeping orchestral music, and traditional story- telling, earning one of the night’s most enthusiastic ovations. - ANI PHOTO:RAHMAN’STEAMVIA ANI AR Rahman with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. playing at the Wolf Trap theater. T he Indian Heritage & Cultural Association of New Jersey (IHCA-NJ) celebrated its 11th Annual Natya Darpan Multilingual Short Play Festival on July 11, 2026, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC). It brought together artists, directors, playwrights, and theater enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds, featuring five productions in Marathi, Hindi, English, and multilin- gual formats, each exploring timely social issues. The festival was inaugurated by Consul Upendra Singh Negi from the Indian Consulate in NewYork. IHCA-NJ Founder and President Dr. Ashok Chaudhary welcomed attendees and introduced the volunteers and executive team. The ceremonial lamp-lighting ceremony was led by Consul Negi, theater director and actor Vijay Kenkre, Middlesex County Commissioner Deputy Direc- tor Shanti Narra, and members of the Natya Darpan Executive Team. A video message from India’s Consul General Binaya Srikant Pradhan, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill; and actor, psychiatrist, and Padma Shri awardee Dr. Mohan Agashe, were played. The festival opened with “Seen Under theWeight,” an English play written and directed by Yona Downes. The production explored the silent struggles faced by gradu- ate students dealing with academic pressure, burnout, bullying, and mental health challenges. It stressed the importance of seeking support during difficult times. A panel discussion on mental health followed, led by Prof. Marshall Jones, Dean of Access at Rutgers Univer- sity’s Mason Gross School of the Arts. The second production, “Daldal,” directed by Seema Shahane, revisited the emotional landscape of the CO- VID-19 pandemic. Through the experiences of ordinary individuals navigating lockdowns, uncertainty, and isola- tion, the Hindi drama captured the emotional toll of the crisis while highlighting hope, resilience, and the lasting impact of the pandemic on mental well-being. The Marathi science-fiction drama “Human in the Loop,” directed by Atul Athavale, explored artificial intelli- gence and its growing influence on modern life. It invited audiences to reflect on memory, identity, ethics, and the indispensable role of human judgment in an increasingly AI-driven world. The fourth presentation, “The Calculus of Guilt,” writ- ten and directed by Dr. Manoj Shahane, portrayed family expectations, hidden truths, and mental health within the South Asian community. The Awards Ceremony for the inaugural Natya Darpan National Playwriting Competition, recognized excellence in original multilingual playwriting. MINI SHORT PLAY CATEGORY • First Prize -Ritambhara Mittal (Alpharetta, Geor- gia) for Gulabi Shareh, • Second Prize – Dr. Siddhesh Kulkarni (Jersey City, New Jersey) for Spring Bloom. SHORT PLAY CATEGORY • First Prize – Shirin Mhadeshwar (Livingston, New Jersey) for Zadat Punha Ugavaya • Second Prize – Sumit Kulkarni (New Jersey) for Behind the Uniform. Theater director and actor Vijay Kenkre congratulated the winners for their creativity and contributions to con- temporary theater. The festival concluded with “Dhaaga,” a multilingual production directed by Amita, which addressed the global issues of sustainability and fast fashion. The play illustrated how individual choices connect to worldwide environmental and humanitarian challenges. Emcees Sucheta Sathe and Vishal Chedda, conducted the program. Founder and President of IHCA-NJ Dr. Ashok Chaud- hary, speaking at the Natya Darpan event July 11, 2026 Dr. Chaudhary thanked the artists, volunteers, spon- sors, partners, dignitaries, and attendees for making the festival a success. “For the past eleven years, Natya Darpan has demon- strated that theater is much more than entertainment—it is a catalyst for dialogue, understanding, and social change,” Chaudhary said. Founded in 2013, the Indian Heritage & Cultural As- sociation of New Jersey (IHCA-NJ) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to promote the performing arts, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering cross- cultural understanding through theater, dance, music, and educational programming. Through Memorable Plays, Natya Darpan 2026 Celebrates 11 Years Of Multilingual Theater And Social Dialogue By a StaffWriter Lamp-lighting ceremony for kickstarting the Natya Darpan program of plays July 11, 2026, hosted by IHCA-NJ. PHOTO : IHCA-NJ Scene from the play “Dhaaga”