(By Prof. S. S. Dogra)
New Delhi: For Kajal Suri, theatre has never been merely a performing art. It has been a language of social consciousness, a means of preserving cultural memory and, above all, a powerful platform for giving voice to women, their aspirations and their struggles.
Her remarkable journey has recently received another international recognition with the Global Visionary Woman Empowerment Award, honouring her contributions to theatre, literature, women’s empowerment, social awareness and cultural heritage.
But behind the glitter of awards lies a much deeper story—a journey shaped by creativity, perseverance and an enduring belief that art can influence society.
“From the stage to social transformation”
Coming from a distinguished family of artists from Jammu and Kashmir, Kajal Suri inherited a deep cultural and artistic legacy. She is the daughter of legendary actor-director-writer Shri Vijay Suri, remembered for his immense contribution to Jammu theatre and his distinctive voice.
Kajal, however, created her own identity through decades of work across theatre, television, radio, literature and education.
Her association with theatre extends well beyond acting. She has worked as an actor, director, writer, producer, trainer and mentor, and has directed and acted in hundreds of plays, telefilms and television productions associated with Doordarshan Kashmir. Her work has consistently explored social realities, human relationships, women’s concerns and questions confronting contemporary society.
Her theatre is particularly significant because it does not merely entertain. It encourages audiences to pause, question and reflect.
“A writer who gives women a voice”
Theatre is only one dimension of Kajal Suri’s creative personality. Her literary journey reflects the same sensitivity towards human emotions and social realities.
Her published works include poetry collections and numerous plays, among them Khwabon Ki Chandni, Meadow of Thoughts, Echoes of Heart, Cheten Da Karwan, Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal, Sassi Punno, Paheli, Sougat, Ujale Ki Kiran, Ek Yudh Aur and Qisse Talashti Zindagi.
Her work has also explored the lives and legacies of iconic women of Kashmir. Her play “Habba Khatoon – Bulbule Kashmir”, published in Hindi and Urdu, focuses on the celebrated Kashmiri poetess Habba Khatoon. Another important work, “Ek Awaz Mohabbat Ki – Lalaeshwari”, written and directed by Suri, brings to the stage the life and spiritual legacy of Kashmir’s revered Sufi poetess Lal Ded, also known as Lalleshwari.
The play received significant recognition, including selection among the five best plays of the year 2022 by the Sahitya Kala Parishad, Government of Delhi, for the Bhartendu Natya Utsav 2023. It was also selected for the Triveni Theatre Festival organised by Triveni Kala Sangam, Mandi House, New Delhi.
Her creative concerns extend to contemporary social problems as well. Ek Yudh Aur, for instance, addresses the battle against drugs through a female-oriented theatrical narrative.
“Television, radio and journalism”
Suri’s creative canvas is remarkably diverse. She has written television serials, telefilms, documentaries, stage plays, radio plays, stories and features. Her association with Doordarshan and All India Radio has enabled her to reach audiences far beyond the traditional theatre space.
As an empanelled producer for Doordarshan, she has acted, produced and directed numerous television programmes and telefilms.
Her contribution to radio has also been recognised. Her production “Prem Ka Sur, Aastha Ka Sangeet – Lalleshwari”, created around the theme of national integration, received an Akashwani Annual Award.
She also holds the distinction of being among the early freelance women journalists from Jammu and Kashmir to receive accreditation from the state government.
“Theatre during the pandemic”
Perhaps one of the most revealing chapters of Kajal Suri’s career came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when theatres across the country fell silent.
Rather than stepping away from her creative work, Suri and the Robroo Theatre Group explored digital platforms to keep theatre and cultural dialogue alive.
She conceptualised and hosted the online celebrity interaction series “Shakhsiyat”, which completed more than 350 shows. She also designed and hosted an online musical series with more than 100 episodes.
Through online discussions, interviews, recorded messages and conversations with veterans of theatre, cinema and radio, she used digital media to spread awareness and maintain a connection between artists and audiences during an exceptionally difficult period.
One of her notable initiatives was “Mantonama”, a festival of short films based on the stories of legendary writer Saadat Hasan Manto. Theatre students associated with Robroo created the films while confined to their homes, working under Suri’s guidance.
It was a striking example of how limitations could be transformed into creative possibilities.
“A mentor beyond the stage”
For Suri, the responsibility of an artist does not end with performance.
She has delivered lectures and conducted training programmes on theatre, media, radio drama, voice and diction at several prestigious institutions. She has also been invited by the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) to speak on theatre in education for teachers from across the country and by Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur, to address students on voice and diction.
Her engagement with education reflects her belief that the next generation of artists needs not only technical skills but also social sensitivity and intellectual curiosity.
“A long list of recognitions”
Kajal Suri’s career has been marked by numerous awards and honours, including the Zohra Sehgal National Award for Theatre, National Women Excellence Awards, Nav Lekhan Puraskar 2021 for her poetry collection Khwabon Ki Chandni, Natyashree Award, Naushad Samman, Maharaja Hari Singh Dogra Samman, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Bharat Gaurav Samman, National Iconic Award, Nari Shakti Award, Kala Prerek Award, and several recognitions for her contribution to theatre, literature, media and culture.
She has also been selected among 1,001 inspiring women globally and has served as a jury member at an international film festival.
Her work has taken her to theatre festivals and cultural platforms across India, further strengthening her contribution to the country’s performing-arts landscape.
“An artist who continues to evolve”
What makes Kajal Suri’s journey particularly inspiring is its continuity. At a time when the performing arts face the challenge of competing with rapidly changing digital entertainment, she has embraced new platforms without abandoning the fundamental values of theatre and literature.
Her journey demonstrates that an artist can simultaneously be a performer, writer, director, educator, journalist and social communicator.
The Global Visionary Woman Empowerment Award therefore becomes more than another addition to an already impressive list of honours. It represents international recognition of a creative journey in which art has consistently been connected with social purpose.
Kajal Suri’s story offers an important message to young artists: creativity becomes truly powerful when it moves beyond the stage and touches society.
Through theatre she gives expression to silenced voices; through literature she preserves emotions and cultural memory; through education she nurtures future generations; and through her continuing creative work, she demonstrates that one committed artist can keep the conversation on society, culture and women’s empowerment alive.
Her journey is still unfolding—and the stage, clearly, is still hers.
