The Ajoka Theatre Festival, under way in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council to celebrate its 40th anniversary, showcased an spiritually uplifting performance of the iconic play Bulha before an enthusiastic and large audience at Alhamra Hall.
Shahid Nadeem’s Bulha has bene performed all over the world, including India, Iran, the UK and Demark, since 2001. The play is based on historical records and Bulleh Shah’s poetry, reinforced by live qawwali.
The play recounts Qasur’s clergy refusing to allow Bulleh Shah’s burial in the city graveyard. The story of the great poet is then related in flashbacks highlighting his relationship with his Sufi master Shah Inayat and dancing girl-turned follower Muradi.
A dramatic sequence in the play is Bulleh Shah’s encounter with the fierce Sikh warlord Banda Singh Beragi and a debate on whether tyranny should be fought with violent means or through a message of peace and love.
The role of Bulleh Shah was played by veteran Ajoka actor Naseem Abbas, while Rai Kamran played Shah Inayat. TV and stage actors Usman Raaj and Muzammil Shabbir played the roles of clerics. Kanwal Khan enacted Muradi Begum and Kamran Mujahid and Mohammad Qaiser portrayed Bulleh Shah’s devotees and narrators Sona and Chandi.
The play had been directed by the late Ajoka founder Madeeha Gauhar. The qawalis were specially composed by the late Mian Sheharyar and were sung by the Khawar Ali party and Kanwal Christopher. The set and lights were handled by Nadeem Mir, while Ajoka veteran Sohail Warraich was the production manager.
The performance received a standing ovation.
Ajoka will now present its international masterpiece Dara on Sunday and Monday.
The play has been widely performed in Pakistan, India and the US.
The National Theatre, London had adapted and produced Dara in 2015 for three months to packed audience and got rave reviews by critics.
Dara has been written and directed by Shahid Nadeem and the cast includes Naseem Abbas, Usman Raaj, Kamran Mujahid, Uzma Hassan, Eva Majid and Usman Zia.
Published in The Express Tribune May 5th, 2024.
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