Ajoka pupils showcase human emotions

Writer presents a story about girl who feigns psychotic symptoms to avoid arranged marriage

LAHORE:

The National College of Arts (NCA) Tollington Block was abuz with creativity and drama on Saturday when an evening of dramatic readings was organised by Ajoka Institute.

Budding writers from a batch of Ajoka's Art of Writing presented four scripts and screenplays before an appreciative audience.

The first-time drama writers were Mahrukh Hussain, Adeel Haroon, Arfan Ali and Farzana Afzaal.

They were joined in the readings by Ajoka's acting students and friends, including Fahad Amir, Azka Tahir, Fizza Tirmizi, Nyle Imtiaz, Kashif Faheem, Faheera, Izzah, Farhan, Tayyab and Aziz. The script 'Safar Tamam' by Farzana Afzaal was related to the recent tragic sinking of a boat full of illegal immigrants near the Greek coast and how it had impacted a family in a small town in Punjab.

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Adeel Haroon presented a story about a clever girl who feigns psychotic symptoms to avoid an arranged marriage and in the end runs away with a neighbourhood chef. Arfan Ali's 'Takmeel' was about the dilemma of a childless couple who are offered a transgender baby for adoption.

The last script to be read was Mahrukh Hussain's 'Aetbaar', a story of love and jealousy revolving around three girl friends who feel betrayed by each other, with a shocking end.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2023.