Virasat festival comes to a close
Dara concludes Ajoka Theater’s Virasat festival to thundering applause.
LAHORE:
Dara concluded Ajoka Theater’s Virasat festival on Sunday night to thundering applause.
Alhamra hall was packed for the last play which told the story of Emperor Aurangzeb’s power struggle for the thrown. Historians often portray Aurangzeb as the ‘saviour’ of the subcontinent but even they can’t justify his murder of his elder brother and the detainment of his own father, emperor Shahjehan, in Agra. “The discourse of the sub-continent history would have been entirely different had Dara Shikoh become emperor instead of Aurangzeb,” audience member Muhammad Omer said after watching the play.
The play is based on memories and notes that Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb’s sister, Jehan Ara, penned in her diaries and not only shows Dara as the crown prince but as a poet, a painter and a Sufi who had the blessings of Sufi Sarmad.
The play ended with Dara being celebrated and showed that even though he was hanged, the love for him remained in people’s hearts and his teachings were followed by many.
Commendation must be given to Usman Zia, Imranul Haq and Sarfraz Ansari who took on the roles of Sarmad, Shahjehan and Aurangzeb respectively.
At the start of its run the festival was met with apprehensions as this was the first time that Ajoka had ticketed sales, out of which a portion would go towards helping flood victims. However, at the end of the festival there were smiles and greetings for the team who managed to pull off a successful run.
“The response has been good and we hope people will keep coming to watch our performances. The ticket prices will be kept low but this is essential to sustain our work,” said Madeeha Gauhar, Creative Director Ajoka. “In the beginning we had fears in our mind but everything turned out perfectly and a large number of people showed up to watch the plays.”
“This time the money will go towards flood relief activities but in the future we have decided not to hold free theatre,” she added. Gauhar said that the Ajoka will take this festival to Islamabad from October 29th to 31th.
Day two and three reviewed
Dukh Darya
This play tells the story of a Kashmiri woman who is taunted by her husband and in laws for being infertile and jumps into the river which divides the two parts of disputed territory in Kashmir. She survives and the play shows her tumultuous life which follows. It is based on a true story.
Raja Rasalu
This production was based on an ancient folk tale which shows the life and adventures of the two sons of Raja Salvahan of Sialkot. The play takes inspiration from the stories and qissavas which storytellers in Punjab have been telling and singing about for centuries.
What the audience said
Mrs Fatima
I really liked Raja Rasalu, so much so that I came to watch it again although I have seen it before
Raheel Saeed
Every play had its own value and importance but I liked Dara and Bullha the most
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2010.
Dara concluded Ajoka Theater’s Virasat festival on Sunday night to thundering applause.
Alhamra hall was packed for the last play which told the story of Emperor Aurangzeb’s power struggle for the thrown. Historians often portray Aurangzeb as the ‘saviour’ of the subcontinent but even they can’t justify his murder of his elder brother and the detainment of his own father, emperor Shahjehan, in Agra. “The discourse of the sub-continent history would have been entirely different had Dara Shikoh become emperor instead of Aurangzeb,” audience member Muhammad Omer said after watching the play.
The play is based on memories and notes that Dara Shikoh and Aurangzeb’s sister, Jehan Ara, penned in her diaries and not only shows Dara as the crown prince but as a poet, a painter and a Sufi who had the blessings of Sufi Sarmad.
The play ended with Dara being celebrated and showed that even though he was hanged, the love for him remained in people’s hearts and his teachings were followed by many.
Commendation must be given to Usman Zia, Imranul Haq and Sarfraz Ansari who took on the roles of Sarmad, Shahjehan and Aurangzeb respectively.
At the start of its run the festival was met with apprehensions as this was the first time that Ajoka had ticketed sales, out of which a portion would go towards helping flood victims. However, at the end of the festival there were smiles and greetings for the team who managed to pull off a successful run.
“The response has been good and we hope people will keep coming to watch our performances. The ticket prices will be kept low but this is essential to sustain our work,” said Madeeha Gauhar, Creative Director Ajoka. “In the beginning we had fears in our mind but everything turned out perfectly and a large number of people showed up to watch the plays.”
“This time the money will go towards flood relief activities but in the future we have decided not to hold free theatre,” she added. Gauhar said that the Ajoka will take this festival to Islamabad from October 29th to 31th.
Day two and three reviewed
Dukh Darya
This play tells the story of a Kashmiri woman who is taunted by her husband and in laws for being infertile and jumps into the river which divides the two parts of disputed territory in Kashmir. She survives and the play shows her tumultuous life which follows. It is based on a true story.
Raja Rasalu
This production was based on an ancient folk tale which shows the life and adventures of the two sons of Raja Salvahan of Sialkot. The play takes inspiration from the stories and qissavas which storytellers in Punjab have been telling and singing about for centuries.
What the audience said
Mrs Fatima
I really liked Raja Rasalu, so much so that I came to watch it again although I have seen it before
Raheel Saeed
Every play had its own value and importance but I liked Dara and Bullha the most
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2010.