Plebeian Woes & Joys Of Jis Lahore Nai Dehya, Jamya Kya

Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya Woh Jamya Kya (He who has not seen Lahore, has not lived) by Asghar Wajahat is a story from the partition era, where not only thousands of people had lost their lives , an easier way out of this desolation and grief but also, those who were alive had a far greater ordeal—a living death, time and again.

It is the story of a Hindu lady left behind in Lahore, Pakistan after the partition has taken effect. Her house has been allotted to a Muslim family from Lucknow by the Custodian office. The Hindu lady refuses vehemently to move out or on to any sort of compromise.

As time passes, the family women slowly warm to her and later she becomes a member of their family. There is perfect harmony between the Hindu woman and the Muslim family, with each respecting the other’s ideology (wonder why in today’s times we can’t live like that...hmmm). The neighborhood also warms to her as she wins them over with her kindness and compassion. And she becomes their beloved “Maee or Ratan ki Amma”.

A bunch of local goons however, cannot digest the idea of a Hindu living right under their noses and are out to create trouble for the new immigrants. As much as they try with their might or their prejudiced views, they are unable to influence the priest of the neighborhood who doesn’t see anything wrong anywhere.

The story ends with the death of Maee who is buried in accordance to Hindu rites and rituals by a group of Muslims chanting Ram Nam Satya Hain on the banks of the Ravee.

A strong message is imparted here; one of religious tolerance, friendship, human relationships and brotherhood. Maee’s character highlights the grief of a mother over the loss of her son and ultimately how she turns her own grief into a tool for community service.

This play was directed by Mrs Dubey Choudhary with herself portraying Ratan ki Amma. Must say, overall the acting was very good albeit the Punjabi being a little difficult to understand. Lighting and props were also good.

Except for...unruly and idiotic people sitting in the row behind us.

I don’t get it. Why don’t people have some sense of social responsibility and not make an attempt to ruin it for others??? That wonderful moment of silence and anticipation before the act begins; that I was so straining my ears to hear was sadly missing.

OMG… (*sighs*) They so lacked any sort of theatre etiquettes. Can you believe people had the gall to bring their children for the play??? (*eyes popping out*) Aaaaaaaaargggh so FRUSTRATING. Running around and screaming “Papa Papa...Stage pe Papa hain...Papa so gaaye hain. Man! I so wish their Papa didn’t take part in the play. He wasn’t needed much anyway. LOL!! And to top it all, their mother and uncle were just as WORSE. I kept staring at them and shushing their kids... but in VAIN and to NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER. Everyone else was also very irritated with them. That was that. Then right in the middle of the play, one small infant goes ”Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah” and me is like “Done for” :-S

How I miss Prithvi Theatre and NCPA in Mumbai!!! (man do I love that city or what!!!)


Me is puzzled over another thing. Each act also began with urdu couplets and stanzas of ghazals. People clapped after each act opened and closed. Don't get the point. (*weird*)

Me thinks it will take a few more events like these to make people aware of how entertaining theatre can be and teach them its importance. Of course, watching plays out here can be a very expensive affair.

Anyways that was a much needed relief and something that I was really looking forward to. Next week there are three plays coming up. Mahesh Dattani’s Mad about Money on Wednesday at The Crowne, Phir Deep Jalega, I can’t get the name of this second one on Thursday at the Theatrical Institute. Me hopes to catch all three.

(and... also to finish off my incomplete story. later on that though.)

Talk Of Ordeal

For people like me who don’t know what to do with themselves, to live each day without knowing what to do or how to go about knowing what you want from your life is such an ORDEAL.

For the past one and a half year, since me finished my undergrad studies, have been soul searching, trying to find out doing what makes me happy and am still clueless. Did a few odd jobs. Am still doing. BTW, got another one in the same series, as an admin manager. Better than sitting at home and doing absolutely nothing, falling into perils of idleness and boredom.(*finally*)

And also, why is it that when you want opportunities to come your way, they forget your door??
Now that I want to get back to academics, something or the other keeps coming in the way.(*hmmmphf*)

I have played with many options. But either I am trying too hard or am not trying at all.(*aargggh*)
Too much choice is sometimes not great especially for indecisive characters.(*hint*)

So anyway, must look at doing more meaningful soul research and find something worthwhile to do with myself.

Life’s a mixed bag. Whatever you pick, you never like and what is not there in the bag is what you always long for.

With these words of wisdom, people of the blogsphere, the wild child signs off.