Faiz Ki Mohabbat Mein: A new horizon

Performance celebrates late poet, link between poetry and psychology

KARACHI: An evening of music poetry, ‘Faiz Ki Mohabbat Mein’ celebrated the vision of Faiz Ahmed Faiz and explored the symbiotic relationship between knowing and not knowing.

The annual fundraiser, conceptualised by National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) and presented by Karwan-e-Hayat, was held on February 8, 2020, at The Indus Valley School of Arts and Architecture. It was hosted by well-known artist Arshad Mahmud, who drew parallels between the venture and Faiz's poetry, speaking a few words about the late poet’s verses that still give hope in times of despair.

Dil na-umeed to nahi, nakam hi to hai
Lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi to hai

(Not entirely hopeless, the heart has only lost
Long is the evening of grief, but it's an evening only)

Performers at Faiz Ki Mohabbat Mein (Photo: New World Concepts)

Standing at the gap between the conscious and the unconscious, one would realise that the love affair between psychology and poetry has been a part of our lives since time immemorial.

Faiz faced a difficult life amidst military trials, accusations of sedition and imprisonment - yet remained a poet of hope and optimism. Set up to promote his progressive and humanistic ideas in his birth month, ‘Faiz Ki Mohabbat Mein’ revolved around narrations of Faiz’s poetry, followed by spellbinding performances by the students of NAPA.

Nigel Bobby, Simal Nafees, Sajar Nafees and Sabeen Nawab performed and sang ghazals penned by Faiz. Through an hour long performance, the musicians and actors captivated audiences, receiving unprecedented applause from the spectators at the end of the show.

Celebrated for its multi-layered resonances which transcend time and age, Faiz's poetry gives articulation to inner turmoil and speaks volumes about the crushed voice of the weak. The event also brought into limelight Faiz's pensive lyricism and highlighted the traditional tropes of the hard realities of life. In the immortal lines of Bol (the beautiful three-lettered word imprinted on the backdrop of the event stage), Faiz can be seen bolstering spirits and urging the struggler not to give up.

PHOTO:FILE

Bol, ke lab azad hain tere
Bol, zubaan ab tak teri hai
Tera sutwaan jism hai tera
Bol, ke jaan ab tak teri hai 

(Speak out, your words are free
Speak up, your tongue is still your own
Your body remains yours
Speak out, your life is still your own)

Faiz did not just speak about the lone voice of dissent; his verses also highlight the struggles of the oppressed common man.

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