LAHORE
Ajoka Theatre presented ‘Kabira khara bazaar main’ and mesmerised the audience for three days at Alhamra.
The amazing thing is that on January 28 the same play ‘Kabira khara bazaar main’ was performed in Amritsar (India) by theatre group Manch Rang Manch.
The play was directed by Indian theatre director Kewal Dhaliwal.
Earlier, in beginning of January Kewal conducted a special theatre workshop with Ajoka team in Lahore for preparation of the play and after the premiere of the play on January 26 at Alhamra, he went to Amritsar very next day as his own team had to perform the same play there.
In this way January 28 became a special day in theatre history of Pak-India as same play of bhisham sahni ‘Kabira khara bazaar main’ was performed in two countries and got great appreciation from the audience.
‘Kabira khara bazaar main’ highlighted the life and philosophy of saint of sub-continent ‘Kabir Das’ who was the founder of Bhagti Movement. He received anger and confrontation from clerics both Hindu and Muslim as he fearlessly challenged the class and creed divides of 14-15th century India. When asked to appear before Sultan Sikandar Lodhi to defend complaints submitted by his religious leaders, thousands of his followers accompanied him and Sultan was forced to quit him with honour and respect.
The play projected the universal message of peace, love, tolerance and religious harmony.
Kabir Das is the best known for presenting the Bhagti Movement which was largely monotheistic, spiritual and social movement. Through Bhagti Movement he touched the inner chord of the common man and convinced him that he could find the Lord within and need not indulge in useless worship and odd rituals.
In the play Kabir’s soulful poetry (Dohay & Bolian, vachan) was effectively used to project his philosophy which was well received by the audience. Beside prominent personalities from various aspects of life audience comprises mainly youth admired the play.
Kabir Das is widely known in India and interior Sindh as his poetry is very much popular there.
It was an effort to introduce his life and mystic approach to younger generation so that they could think beyond the boundaries of cast, sect, and religion.
Usman Zia performed the title role of Kabir Das and did true justice with an amazing performance.
