Keeping it real

Theatre production ‘Teesri Dhun’ lends voice to transgender actors; focuses on the plight of the community at large

LAHORE:

Transgenders were declared a criminal tribe in the 19th Century by colonial laws and since then, the community is struggling to fit in and assimilate in society. Despite a Supreme Court (SC) ruling through which tansgenders have been recognised as a distinct gender society, they continue to be marginalised. The Government of Pakistan commenced registration of ‘hijras’ and job quota was also specified for them but the practice failed to prevail.

To resolve these issues and dilemmas, Olomopolo, a media art management and entertainment organisation, took support from the social sciences and humanities research council of Canada.



They prepared a 90 minute “documentary theatre” titled Teesri Dhun, which features six transgenders as actors, including Nagma Gogi, Neeli Rana, Jannat Ali, Saad, Lucky and Sunny and besides them, Arman Khan, Arslan Nasir, Sikander Nawaz and Shaigan Bashir comprise the cast of the production.

A three day showing of Teesri Dhun kick-started on Thursday in Alhamra, where numerous khwaja siras and members of civil society enjoyed the performances and appreciated the struggles of Dr Claire Pamments. A dramatic enactment of transgender lives, the play shows six transgenders share their experiences of being neither men nor women in Pakistan. In the duration of 90 minutes, different issues surrounding their lives were narrated through power-packed performances teamed with soul-stirring music and dance. Coupled with a sense of celebration and loss, the transgenders narrated their stories of suffering and facing neglect in society.

Teesri Dhun is essentially an upshot of Dr Claire Pamments research on the lives, struggles and culture of transgenders. Pamments is the director and assistant professor of media studies at Kinnaird College for women and is also a theatre practitioner and academic with research expertise in South Asian theatre and popular culture. She keenly observed the poor conditions of transgenders in Pakistani society and instead of prepping research reports, she preferred to emphasise on the issue by using theatre as a tool.

The performance was recieved well by audiences, while many tansgenders across Punjab expressed happiness and relief at the project. Theatre organisers congratulated the transgender community for the success of Teesri Dhun and special invitations were sent to them to asssure their attendance.



Transgenders’ contribution to society has a traditional element attached to it. On the birth of a child, for example, their Badhaai Performance thorough dance, singing and issuing fun irreverent repartee in wedding ceremonies are still practical in various parts of the country. It’s a tragedy that transgenders are still considered as outcast constituents of society and in recent years, the situation regarding their identification and rights has become worse. An example being that, they have no choice but to beg to earn a livelihood.

Kanwal Khoosat, the producer of Teesri Dhun, elaborated on the matter saying, “Although various people in the past highlighted the issues of transgenders, this is the first time that a complete documentary theatre was especially offered in connection with the issue, presenting transgenders as actors.” Further delving into the purpose behind the production, Khoosat adds, “Our mission was to convey the issue to the government and society. We did succeed, as the first day welcomed a full house and the theatre will continue for two more days.” The team is planning to visit Karachi and Islamabad to perform Teesri Dhun and spread the message.

A very proud Neeli Rana who was part of the cast says, “No doubt our community is facing issues but we realised that theatre is the best way to convey our message. Our aim was to deliver our issues to society because we have never felt accepted.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2015.

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