‘Tiger of Maysore’ staged at GCU

LAHORE
Government College University’s Dramatics Club (GCUDC) staged a special bilingual (Urdu and English) play “Tiger of Maysore” based on the life of Tipu Sultan at the university’s Bokhari Auditorium on Thursday. “In the traditional story that everyone knows, Tipu Sultan is the consummate holy warrior who is a victim of treachery at the hands of Mir Sadiq and Purnea. Our play follows the same storyline but it shows Tipu as a human being; a fallible ruler, an unbending idealist and a politician of limited acumen. You will see him like you’ve never seen him, it is going to be Tipu Sultan retold,” said GCUDC President Yousra Anwer while talking about the play.
The play is written by Sameer Ahmed who teaches Drama at the English Department of GCU. It was directed by Dr Salman Bhatti and Dr Atif Yaqub. Music was arranged by Muzammil Shabbir and lighting by Farhan. Omer Dar was convincing in his portrayal of Tipu. Abdullah Waleed Hashmi played the dominating Mir Sadiq and Talha Akhter was impressive as the crafty Purnea. The performance was glued together by the Sultan’s royal and chorus members Mehran Siddiq and Ali Butt. Queen Ruqqaya Bano was played by GCDC president Yusra Anwer and the king’s favourite kaneez was played by Sufia Sarwar.
Talking about the play, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Khaleeq-ur-Rahman said theatre had an important function to reform the society and all the universities should play a vital role for reviving the culture of quality theatre in the country. He said the GC Dramatics Club was established in 1890’s during the tenure of Prof. Bell as Principal of the College.
Talking about “Tiger of Maysore”, Sameer Ahmad says that the play shows the native zeal of Tipu Sultan; despotic, superstitious, sentient, and heroic, as he struggles with the English, his family and with himself. The last independent ruler of princely states in India persists in a relentless struggle to challenge the ever-expanding East India Company. His advisers and close family members are convinced that it is a futile effort as the English represent a superior civilisation. Rapidly losing allies and territory, Tipu struggles to keep his wits about him in an intense real-life drama.

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