There was a time when we used to watch stage adaptations of Charles Dickens’ novels full of vitality, powerful characterisations with universal appeal. Thanks to Khilona Theatre for children & young, we watched his “Hard Times” in the form of a beautiful parable, interspersed with lyrics set to music and dances. Presented at Epicentre, Gurgaon recently, the adapted version in Hindi retains the basic plot and characters of the original, reinforcing its philosophical kernel that society should be sensitised to have compassion and sympathy for the fellow human beings. It also tells parents and teachers that in the name of detached rationalism, we should not ignore the teaching of humanistic values.

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