Local theatre troupe returns from India with hopes intact

Maas Foundation speaks up on bearing brunt of Shiv Sena’s growing intolerance towards Pakistani artists

LAHORE: A wave of intolerance continues to drench Pakistani artists across the border, with the latest victims being the seven-member team of theatre troupe Maas Foundation. Bearing the brunt of Shiv Sena’s hawkish tilt towards Pakistan, the group said on their recent return from India that they were attacked by supporters of the Hindu right-wing party during their performance of the play Banjh in Gurgaon.

“The play epitomised the sentiments of the people on both sides of the border. Through the play, we tried to show that peace is the solution to the problems between the two countries,” said writer Afzal Nabi. “It’s unfortunate that this incident took place but how a number of Indians extended their support to us is appreciable,” he added.





The team included president and director of Maas Foundation Amir Nawaz, media advisor Kashif Nazir, Nabi, and artists Abid Hussain, Zoya Qazi, Safina Malik, Rashid Malik and Imran Nawaz. Expressing dismay over the incident, the team said they won’t let it overshadow the support and love they received from most of the people during their stay in India. “The majority of people in India aren’t in favour of Shiv Sena’s attitude towards Pakistani artists,” said the team.

“Whenever theatre enthusiasts in India invite us to perform, we will happily accept their invitation,” said the team.” Nazir went on to say, “There are many pacifists in India and they understand that certain elements among them are trying to mar India’s longstanding image of admiring the arts.”



This year, the troupe was invited by the municipal corporation of Gurgaon to perform their play, written by Nabi, and were also due to perform at the Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF). “Due to the intervention of the administration and security personnel, the situation returned to normalcy and we were able to perform the play. But it was an unpleasant experience as those elements insulted our flag,” said Nawaz.



The Maas Foundation has been performing in India for the past seven years, having made their mark at the National Theatre Festival Amritsar in 2008 and the Haryana International Theatre Festival in 2012, but this incident is certainly been a first for the troupe. “We never experienced anything of this nature before, even though we visit India to attend the DIAF every year,” said Nawaz. “We even went on to perform at the festival after the incident and people in India appreciated us. They even apologised for the unfortunate occurrence and the role of the High Commission of Pakistan was impressive.”

Maas Foundation is a reputed Lahore-based theatre organisation that was founded in 2002. In addition to performing in India, the troupe has travelled across the world to perform their plays, such as Dukh Sukh, Zara Sochiye and Ishq Ke Musafir. They have also earned their spurs at cultural festivals in South Korea and Sri Lanka.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 8^th, 2015.

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