Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: Behind the barbed wire

The play ‘Hagha Khkuli Khkuli Khalak’ depicts a poet’s romance with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

PESHAWAR:

Every time one thinks about the war torn region of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), one can’t help but compare it to a beautiful red apple that is being gnawed away from the inside by a worm. The area which was once known to be the home of exquisite mirror work and sublime beauty, now brings a completely different image in mind.

K-P and its adjoining areas were once tourist spots and used to host thousands of people visiting Jamrud in the Khyber Agency by train. But with the passage of time and with increasing anti-state activities in the area, the situation went out of the administration’s hands and violence prevailed over the residential areas of the province.

K-P wounded by pieces of shrapnel and blasts

Fear paralysed the routine life of the residents of K-P and people would leave home at morning with flickering hope that they would return. Schools were being destroyed and all activities depicting Pakhtoon culture came to a halt after public gatherings started receiving bomb threats.

Peshawar, the provincial capital, rich with cultural heritage and once known as the city of flowers, turned into a war-ridden territory being promoted by the media as the breeding ground of militants. The law and order situation got worse and soon spread a message of intolerance, because of which the international media started projecting K-P as a “no-go” area, devoid of any form of creative relief.

Blessing in political disguise

It was in 2007, when things finally changed for the stereotyped area of K-P. Awami National Party (ANP) won the majority of the seats in general elections held in 2007 and announced the re-opening of Nishtar Hall, a centre for arts and entertainment in K-P. Before ANP, the centre was under the control of Mutahidda Majlise-Amal, a conservative group that had closed Nishtar Hall to halt merrymaking and entertainment in a conservative city like Peshawar.

The provincial government put all its efforts to counter negative propaganda against Pakhtuns, and to tell the world that they are a peace-loving community held several culture and heritage promoting events from Swat’s Aman Maila (Peace Festival) to a tour of Himalayas to the International Mountain Bike race and cultural exhibitions like Hunar-e-Hawa.

Now, the government has planned to present a theatre play that will depict the life of legendary Pashto Sufi poet Rehman Baba, who was born in the 16^th century.

An ode to sufism

To convey Baba’s messages of peace, harmony and brotherhood, famous Pashto poet Abasin Yusufzai was asked to write the script and the region’s well known film actor Ajab Gul was given the job to direct the play titled “Hagha Khkuli Khkuli Khalak” (Those Beautiful People), while television actor Iftikhar Qaiser was selected to portray the role of Baba.

Since the play had an open invitation, hundreds of people, along with their families, flocked to the arts and entertainment centre. Public figures like the Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haider Khan Hoti, Senator Afrasyab Khattak, Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain and members of the provincial assembly also visited Nishtar Hall to watch the stage drama, which celebrated the life of an iconic poet.

According to a local journalist Noor Wali, “Nishtar Hall has been hosting stage dramas for quite some time but families hardly visit the hall to watch those dramas due to strict cultural norms. But the turnout of ‘Hagha Khkuli Khkuli Khalak’ shows that change is just around the corner.”

While talking about the taboos attached to entertainment and art-related events, Wali said, “People in this region are interested in knowing more about theatre and that could be one of the reasons why so many of them showed their interest in this venture. The play itself was fascinating and left the audience spellbound.”

Change is coming

Senator Afrasyab Khattak also thought the play was “fruitful” and important for the revival of theatre in the province and said that these signs will help refurbish the image of Pakhtuns in the eyes of the world and especially the international media. “Previously there were fewer platforms for such activities and the people of K-P were lagging behind in art, but now I think we can compete with other provinces in arts as well,” explained Khattak.

While talking about the success of the play, one must not forgot the playwright who delved into history and recreated Rehman Baba’s magic. When asked to comment on how he managed to collect data of the 300-year-old Sufi poet, Yusufzai said, “Let me tell you honestly, it was the most difficult task I have ever come across. That is why the script took three months to complete.”

The team’s efforts paid off as the cultural side of K-P got recognised on local as well international level. Gul stated that the feedback they received is fit for professionals and makes them feel like they have been associated with theatre since a very long time. “We have been receiving messages of encouragement from Dubai, Kabul and Europe and that is what we wanted. We have done our job.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2012.