Ajoka to perform play on Bhagat Kabir in India

Lahore-based Ajoka theatre troupe to perform multiple plays at Humsaya Theatre Festival in Chandigarh

LAHORE: In a bid to promote cultural and social unison between India and Pakistan, Ajoka Theatre will soon be performing across the border as part of the Humsaya Theatre Festival, onwards from July 23. A 45-member team – including actors and technicians – travelled to India on Thursday to perform renowned plays like Dara, Kaun Hai Yeh Gustakh, Lo Phir Basant Ayee, Kabira Khara Bazaar Main and Anhi Maai da Sufna. The festival will be held at the Tagore Theatre in Chandigarh.

The trip marks the second time Ajoka Theatre is heading to India for the Humsaya Festival, which is essentially organised to promote Pakistani plays on the Indian side of the border. Ajoka will be collaborating with Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi and Adakar Manch for the five-day extravaganza. “We have created a vast viewership in India. Whenever we go there, our performances are highly appreciated and we hope to promote not just our work but also peace through the platform of theatre,” Ajoka Theatre founder Madiha Gohar told The Express Tribune.

The first Humsaya Festival enthralled Indian audiences last September. This time, Ajoka is taking Kabira Khara Bazaar Mein and Anhi Maai da Sufna as its two new additions. Both plays have been directed by prominent Indian directors Kewal Dhaliwal and Usha Ganguly during their stay in Pakistan. Madiha shared she is excited to begin the festival after being sick for some time. “I am finally feeling good after a period of illness and supervising my troupe. This year, Ajoka is much more energetic as compared to the last because this is our second time,” she said. “If you ask me, the role of artists in the current situation can be very pivotal. It is an artist’s aim to work for peace and humanity.”



Having said that, Madiha also shed light on the converse, explaining how the on-going social and political scenario between India and Pakistan could also hamper the exchange of art between the neighbouring countries. “Right now is also a tough time for us artists,” she claimed. “By now, people should understand that we cannot move on without peace. Our mission has – and always will be — to promote peace and understanding,” she added.

According to Gauhar, the Humsaya Festival will be held in Pakistan as well, sometime around the end of this year. Ajoka Theatre remains steadfast in its approach and promises to continue working to achieve its objective.  “Aside from the desire to promote peace within the subcontinent, the Humsaya Festival is an effort to thaw the frozen contacts and relations between India and Pakistan,” shared executive director Shahid Nadeem. “All of the plays being conducted are based on a sentiment which people in both countries can share and enjoy. The festival will provide an opportunity for us to think beyond political tensions and project a new wave of socially relevant, meaningful Pakistani theatre.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22^nd, 2016.

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