Musicals: ‘Gudiyan Patolay’ portrays folk Punjab

Play features Punjabi numbers such as “Mehndi ni mehndi” and “Desan da raja”.

ISLAMABAD:

Imbued with realistic and poignant themes, “Gudiyan Patolay” was staged at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) auditorium on Wednesday evening.

The play was written by Aslam Mughal and directed by Waqar Azeem. Mughal said his attempt was to stay close to the roots and portray the local culture of Punjab with the intention of keeping it alive in the hearts and minds of the audience.

The play revolves around a gypsy family that lives under a railway bridge. The family lives in a humble abode, unaware or unfazed by the hustle and bustle of city life.

Dolari, the lead character, was a young and beautiful girl. She lives with her aging parents and her mentally-challenged brother. The family is a quintessential depiction of a dysfunctional family trying to make ends meet with what little they have.

Dolari sells clay horses made by her mother. One day she tries to sell them at a nearby village but comes to discover that people are no longer interested in buying handmade dolls or toys. Her handmade dolls did not stand a chance against the social media or other 21st century toys that urban children’s lives revolve around.

Dolari likes to hold pretend wedding ceremonies with her handmade dolls, with popular musicals showcasing traditional dances on songs such as, “Mehndi ni mehndi,” “Desan da raja” and “Chandni raatein.”

Later, Dolari’s brother Shaka is throwing stones at passing trains, one of which happen to hit a passerby named Taimur.  Dazed and confused, Taimur stumbles upon Dolari, and falls in love at first sight.

Taimur later proposes to Dolari, but is left heartbroken after learning she is already engaged. Her fiancé, Feroz, witnesses the entire interaction and makes a veiled threat to both in case she ever betrays him.

Meanwhile, Taimur manages to persuade Dolari’s family. But on the day of their wedding, Feroz breaks the dam over the bridge in a fit of rage.

As a result, the family is washed away by strong currents of water. By the time Taimur arrives at the scene, Dolari is already dead.

Nasir Masih’s choreography hit home with its strong appreciation of the rich culture depicted on stage, a sentiment echoed by attendees Anusha and Iqra from Rawalpindi, who said that they thoroughly enjoyed the show, particularly the dance sequences, situational lighting and the sound effects.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2014.