Correlating the themes of music and pedophilia, drama serial Udaari has generated a bit of controversy and has been served a show-cause notice for promoting immorality. However, there’s much more to the play than sexual exploitation;
TVTalk
Seven episodes into the story, Udaari continues to represent strong, resilient women.
Correlating the themes of music and pedophilia, drama serial Udaari has generated a bit of controversy and has been served a show-cause notice for promoting immorality. However, there’s much more to the play than sexual exploitation; its strongest trait is the light it throws on strong and resilient women. Even though the play explores the issue of class difference and shows a sharp contrast between rustic and city life, it is encouraging to see that there is no difference in the representation of women from rural or urban background. They are equally strong and capable; even stronger at times.
One of the central characters in the play, Sheedan (Bushra Ansari) is an amazing singer who earns a living by performing at different events in the village. Despite general condemnation towards her and her family (because of being marasis), she takes pride in the fact that she is able to support her family and her children’s education without having to resort to beggary. Even after losing her husband in an accident, she regains her strength and stands up to support her family.
Her daughter Meera (Urwa Hocane), who is also gifted with a melodious voice, comes across as a strong woman and lends support to her family when they need her the most. Initially she hesitates to sing in public as the man she loves looks down upon her musical inheritance and forbids her, but when he agrees to get engaged to someone else, she moves on with a broken heart. Her courage and the way she deals with the situation is commendable. One anticipates her constant evolution as we can predict she’ll be recruited in a pop band in the city.
Even Sajjo (Samiya Mumtaz), who is a widow, is no less stronger than the other women in the drama. She earns a living and continues to face the many problems that life throws at her with her feet firmly on the ground. She looks after her daughter Zebo and when her late husband’s friend Imtiaz (Ahsan Khan) proposes her for marriage, she agrees despite her sister’s disagreement.
We also have Mili, one of the band members in the city, who seems more determined to make it to the competition compared to her male band mates. She is adamant to recruit Meera, who she thinks has a great voice and just needs a little grooming, to their band after their female vocalist Farwa left them.
These strong and courageous women, especially the ones from the village, make one realize that it’s the will power that makes all the difference and not the gender or the background one comes from. If women wish to achieve something and remain consistent in their struggles, they have the ability to conquer the world, whatsoever.
