New Delhi, Dec.15 (ANI): " Don't use the name of Allah to justify your misdeeds... There is pain and desire to be together among both Indians and Pakistanis"-this was the message of the play "Sach..Juta...Namak..." directed by Hanif Patni of the Ekjute Theatre Group in the Old World Theatre Festival In New Delhi.
So pertinent was the theme of the play based on three short stories written by Razia Sajjad way back in 1965 that the performance drew huge response from the full house.
The emotion was overwhelming and the applause was spontaneous.
In the post play interaction with audience the Director Hinif Patni was narrating how apprehensive he was about staging the play when there is so much tension between India and Pakistan now after Mumbai carnage. One voice from the audience thundered " aapko aisa drama dikhana hi nahi chahiye lekin dikhate rahna chahiye" (You should not only stage such play you should keep on doing it always.)
The play based on three short stories brings out the outcry of the downtrodden which questions the existing dogmas in the society .
The play exposes all those who use religion to justify their wrong doings.
The first story is "Sach...Sirf Sach Aur Sach ke Siva Kuchh Nahin" is about a poor peasant Mamdoo who accidentally kills the mule of a fellow peasant. He finds it difficult to tell lie in the court despite the teachings of landlord Barrister Meer Sahab. A satirical and sharp attack on the lie and hypocrisy prevailing in the present day society.
The second story is "Allah De Banda Le". This story revolves around an ordinary domestic servant Fazloo whose life's biggest ambition is to buy a 'Boot Joota' for himself. A believer of god, Fazloo necessarily did not believe in offering prayers. When his cherished dream of being the proud owner of a boot joota is fulfilled, his master forces him to at least now offer a thanks giving Namaz to the almighty. Fazloo's shoe is stolen from the mosque raising a very pertinent question whether being a hard core religious believer or follower is the guarantee of being honest in deed and thought.
A question posed to those Jehadi and Hindu fundamentalists who perpetrate all sorts of inhuman acts and violence in the name of religion.
In the third story,Namak, based on Partition, Safiya, an Indian travels to Pakistan to meet her brothers after 20 years. The story proves that just by drawing lines on a map, you cannot divide the hearts of the people - the shared language, culture and traditions are too deep rooted.
This story drew maximum emotion and applause from the audience and got a standing ovation.
"The same emotion was witnessed when we staged the play in Lahore in the second week of November", said Hanif Patni.
The director however felt that what is being done by the elements within Pakistan in the name of jehad "is an insult to Islam and it should not be done and those who are spreading terror in the name of religion should be dealt with sternly".
The varieties of plays, touching issues affecting different aspects of life, being staged in the Old World Theatre Festival has been a novel break for the audience of Delhi who has been looking for some cathartic moments in this difficult and complex time. (ANI)
|
|
Read More: Banda
Comments:
