Collection of Newspaper Reviews on Literature, Performing & Fine Arts

This was, to a certain extent, ably done by Naresh Gulati when he wrote reviews for Hindustan Times and later in The Hindu during his stay at Jaipur between 2000 and 2006. While writing on theatre, he also took serious note of all that was happening politically and socially at that time. This is a very important responsibility of the critic and was most ably achieved by him.   it has been a long journey for Naresh Gulati from the snow capped hills of Jammu & Kashmir to the sand dunes of Rajasthan and then on to Gujarat. Love of theatre could only prompt to accomplish it. It was fortunate that he found persons in Hindustan Times in Jaipur who provided the space for him to write. I am happy to know that all his cuttings which he has meticulously kept, will now form a book of reviews. I am fully confident that it will form an important part of the history of Jaipur theatre, if and when it is written.   His genuine and loveable personality made friends easily, but once he was in theatre, his mind, vision and pen overtook him and his writing was forthright, purposeful and instructive. It is difficult to say as to how much did the amateur theatre of Jaipur learnt from his writings, but he definitely succeeded in making them aware of what good theatre should be. He was greatly benefitted in his endeavour by his knowledge of Sanskrit and English plays, which amply reflected in his writings. His column was greatly sought after and was very popular among the theatre artists, and was eagerly read by the government officials too, whom he did not spare. His writing even today is a subject of discussion and his name is taken with love and respect. His leaving Jaipur has left a big void in criticism in theatre of this part. It is extremely unfortunate that lately we see that the space for art and culture has either shrunk or vanished altogether.