NAPA revives radio drama with Aawaaz Audio Theater Project

The project celebrates the launch of three audio plays that reimagine storytelling through sound

KARACHI:

The National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) on Tuesday celebrated the completion of its Aawaaz Audio Theater Project, held in collaboration with the British Council, the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan, and the Peoples Palace Project (through Queen Mary University of London) at NAPA’s Zia Mohyeddin Theater.

The project produced two versions of three audio plays — Baldia, Sammul, and Mentally Controlled — one each in Urdu and English. The plays were launched during a packed ceremony where the audience listened to the Urdu versions. The initiative aimed to revive Pakistan’s rich tradition of radio drama.

One of the plays, Baldia, was based on the tragic 2012 factory fire in Karachi. It tells the story of a mother mourning the loss of her two sons in the blaze. “It was a huge opportunity for us to execute this project as there were a lot of challenges involved,” said Areeb Ali Khan, audio producer for Baldia, while speaking to The Express Tribune. “It’s like a short film — but in film, we have visuals that cover a lot of what can’t be conveyed through sound. Here, the challenge was to make the listener feel the experience through sound.” He revealed that every sound effect was created by the cast and crew themselves. “The sound of the fire? My wife helped me make it using bubble wrap,” he added with a laugh.

The plays covered a wide range of subjects. Mentally Controlled imagines a futuristic 2040 Pakistan where mental illnesses take center stage, while Sammul tells a simpler story about a girl with a passion for pottery. “I have always been drawn to telling the stories of ordinary people,” said Samina Sehar, lead actor and writer of Sammul, in conversation with The Express Tribune. “The work of people like shoemakers, woodworkers, or potters inspires me. Whenever I have the opportunity to create something, I choose these kinds of stories.”

The event opened with speeches. British Council’s Deputy Director in Pakistan, Ben Lawton, noted that the partnership with NAPA was part of the Council’s broader efforts in culture and heritage. He said such collaborations were central to the organization’s work in Pakistan.

NAPA Board of Directors member Senator (retd) Javed Jabbar praised the Aawaaz team for rekindling the spirit of radio drama. Reflecting on his youth in the 1960s, he recalled how his generation was inspired by Radio Pakistan’s programs. “Listening to cricket commentary by Omar Kureishi and Jamshed Marker was more vivid than any TV coverage,” he said. “Radio’s magic came only second to that of books — far ahead of TV or film.”

Agreeing, Areeb added that there are many reasons radio should be revived. “People like me are the audience,” he said. “I barely have time to turn on my television and search for a movie. I’d rather put on headphones in my car and listen to an entire story. I can drive and still be immersed in it.”

The speeches were followed by a panel discussion featuring the writers, directors, and audio producers of the three plays, who shared their creative journeys. Behind-the-scenes videos showcasing the production process were also screened.