Ideas through performance: Ajoka’s new play celebrates Kabir

The play is written by Bhisham Sahni and is set in 15th Century India

LAHORE: Ajoka’s new play Kabira Khara Bazaar Mein directed by Kewal Dhaliwal and written by Bhisham Sahni is about tolerance.

The play, having an all-Pakistani cast, is set in the 15th Century India. It tells the story of Kabir, a sufi and a poet, known for his role in the Bhakti movement. This movement opposed the Hindu caste system and held that love and compassion was the essence of all worship. It later influenced several sufi saints, including Bulleh Shah.

Kabir, raised in a low income Muslim family, worked as a weaver. Kabir’s profession was depicted on the set thorugh saris from Amritsar placed in tent-like shapes.



Kabir challenged teachings of religious leaders from both the Muslim and Hindu but he became quite popular among the people. The question of religious practice is raised multiple times in the play. The common people hear propaganda against Kabir and question whether he is a Hindu or a Muslim. At the same time, Kabir questions religious practices which benefit a certain class. His confrontations with clerics were a hit with the audience.

The theme of the play is the teaching of universal brotherhood. There is live music and dancing on Kabir’s poetry.

Most people in the audience found its message of peaceful coexistence particularly pertinent to current times. “It is important that people learn to respect beliefs that vary from theirs,” said Nadeem Amir, a member of the audience.

Kabir’s poetry is sung at several shrines in Sindh.

The play was performed after a workshop by Dhaliwal. He has worked with Ajoka before and runs a theatre company in India. Bhisham Sahni, is a known playwright and novelist, recognised for writing the television play Tamas.

The play started on January 27 and will end tomorrow (Thursday).

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th,  2016.