Indian govt denied giving orders against allowing Pakistanis to perform, says representative of Ajoka.
Following the National Academy of Performing Arts’ (Napa) unceremonious return to Pakistan after being barred from performing in India, the neighbouring country’s civil society made sure Ajoka would not meet the same fate.
Although their Jaipur performance was cancelled, Ajoka got to perform twice in New Delhi following demonstrations by India’s theatre community and civil society against the government’s move banning Napa from taking the stage at the National School of Drama theatre festival.
“The [Indian] government denied giving any orders against allowing Pakistanis to perform after which the theatre community in India erupted,” said Shahid Nadeem, the representative of Ajoka and the writer of the play called “Kaun Hai Yeh Gustakh” which was performed in India.
He said that the cancellation became an issue once the Indian media highlighted it. “Although the Jaipur performance got cancelled, we performed twice in New Delhi and are quite relieved that all our efforts didn’t go in vain,” Nadeem told The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2013.
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appreciate the sane indians.
Pakistan really needs Manto style world view. India already had it. The p,Amy's should be performed in Pakistan.
It is not fair that for act of an abnormal and sick group of persons two nations loose their sanity and take childish steps. Grow up India and Pakistan
I am perplexed why an organisation such as Ajoka feels an overwhelming need to devote time to India when its home country Pakistan substantially lags India, as evidenced by Pakistan being a “Islamic” Republic and being run by Military Dictatorships for something like half its independent existence, in following the secular and democratic that Ajoka claims is its mission to espouse.
Surely Ajoka's mission statement would be better acheived by remaining in Pakistan.
Aman ki Asha
Down with jingoism.Media is a security risk.