Love triumphs over national prejudices

Theatre buffs in town were treated to a unique theatrical performance at the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) auditorium on Wednesday evening, unique in that the key characters of the play were the same in real life too.

The play, Mian, Biwi aur Wagah, was staged by the Dubai-based Goonj Theatre. The company comprised Pakistani and Indian stars, all resident in Dubai.

The play is the story of a Karachi girl, Amna, married to an Indian man, both resident in Dubai, and the various aspects of a marriage between two people not just from different backgrounds, but hostile ones. At first, the viewer would feel that it would be all about a stormy relationship because of the husband and wife being from antagonistic backgrounds. The real-life couple also play husband and wife in the play. Thus, it is more true-to-life and hence unique.

While the viewers may have different views before witnessing the play, the theme turns out to be rather a philosophical one. In fact, it is two-fold. Firstly it tells us that national boundaries and prejudices are no impediment to human relationships and that love triumphs over them all. The play also reflects on how the ravages of modern technology have totally dehumanised society.

The play is based on the passing of letters between Ehtisham and his wife, Amna , and between Amna and her mother in Karachi. The letters give a very frank and uninhibited view of things on both sides of the divide.

In one of Amna’s letters to her mother in Karachi from Bihar, she comments in rather a lighthearted manner on the culinary peculiarities of the people of India. Ehtisham’s letters too are a reflection on life in Karachi. Then, as a reflection of the common heritage of people on both sides of the divide, Amna visits her grandmother’s ancestral residence in Lucknow and her dispatches from there are tribute to the rich cultural heritage that she’s heir to.

Another profound piece of acting is by Faraz as the Dakia Babu. He laments the way modern methods of communication like the email and the digitalisation process have dehumanised society and how the love and fellowship that once prevailed within communities has become a thing of the past.

He recalls the days when, as the area’s postman, he was privy to so many matters of the people of the area who confided in him and how he was the confidante to so many people, how he helped people grappling with their various issues, and how everybody in the community cared for and helped each other. He blames the vanishing of all those beautiful attributes to the onslaught of modern technology.

The play is also teeming in humorous remarks and witticisms, often self-deprecating, like when Ehtisham, in one of his letters, quotes an oft-quoted remark, “Jo na kate aari se, woh kate Bihari se”, he himself being a Bihari.

Wagah actually is the last Pakistani border outpost before entering India. However, in the play, Wagah is a person who comments on the views of the other characters in the play. He laments the erosion of human feelings that once existed among people within communities.

However, one could take exception to the execution of his role as it was marked by overacting which robbed it of the natural touch and the profundity.

Johann D’Souza as the vocalist did a remarkable job, especially the rendition of Mehdi Hassan’s trademark Ghazal, “Gullon Mein Rang Bhare”. Besides, he even rendered some Punjabi numbers which were perfect.

Dhruti Shah’s direction was certainly impeccable. Amna is actually Amna Khaishgi, a Karachi native and graduate of Karachi University. The play is scheduled to be staged at the T2F on Thursday and at the Arts Council on March 31.