Lucknow, Sept. 13 -- A play 'Lafzon Ki Gathri - Kuch Panne Part 2' was staged at Sant Gadge Ji Maharaj Auditorium of UP Sangeet Natak Akademi on Friday. Directed by renowned theatre artiste Seema Bhargava Pahwa, the production brought to life three iconic short stories of Indian literature - Premchand's 'Chhoti Behen', Mannu Bhandari's 'Akeli', and Bhisham Sahni's 'Yaadein'. The actors performed as both narrators and characters simultaneously, presenting a refreshing theatrical experience.The performance opened with Premchand's 'Chhoti Behen' under a dim blue light, with the story unfolding through the conversation of two sisters. The elder sister is absorbed in her studies, while the younger prefers playing. Though she makes timetables, she never follows them, drawing much laughter from the audience. However, the plot underwent a twist when the elder sister failed in her exams while the younger, carefree one, passed with good marks. The younger sister's pride is countered by the elder's witty explanation of her struggles with subjects like history and mathematics, leaving the audience in peals of laughter. In the end, both sisters' innocence and mischievousness helped highlight the warmth of sibling bonds. The mood shifted with Mannu Bhandari's 'Akeli', a poignant portrayal of loneliness. The story revolves around Soma Bua, whose husband gets deeply engrossed in religious practices and rituals, leaving her neglected. Despite social detachment, she tries to stay connected with people and her spirits lift when her niece, Radha, tells her she is invited to a family wedding. With renewed energy, she prepares eagerly, only to be left disappointed when the invitation never arrives. Her final moments of despair and yearning left the audience emotional. In the end, Bhisham Sahni's 'Yaadein', portrayed the meeting of two elderly women, Lakhmi and Goma. Lakhmi, struggling with weak eyesight, searches for her old friend and is guided by Ram Lal to Goma's room. Seeing each other, both women are overwhelmed and they slip into the stream of memories - recalling their childhood, youth, and family lives. Their conversations also touch upon their children's circumstances, reflecting the realities of old age, loneliness, and the fading warmth of relationships. The emotional depth left the audience in a deep thought.Actors including Ratna Pathak Shah, Seema Pahwa, Anubhav Fatehpuriya, Jaya, Manukriti, and Rakesh Chaturvedi performed during the play.HTC...