Luminites take streets to the stage

Skitamasha, an annual event hosted by the dramatics society of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), was held this weekend from the April 29 to May 1 at the university’s sports complex.
Skitamasha holds great prestige among Luminites. Not only does it serve as a medium for students to vent out their built-up frustration over the workload and the mental pressure regarding their education, it also acts as a forum for them to explore the world of theatre. It is a stage where untapped talent is brought forth, the gift of acting is explored and recognized, and where talent is appreciated by an enthusiastic audience. This event provides every student with equal opportunity to explore the actor within and excel. At the end of the event, students were given awards in categories: best script, best production, and so on.
This year the three day event aimed at showcasing skits on the theme ‘From the streets to the stage’, highlighting what students understand and perceive of this phrase. The venue was meticulously decorated to represent the theme, and members of the dramatics society worked tirelessly to create an aura of the streets inside the sports complex. Students were asked to make their teams, which were then short-listed. Teams were given a time limit of fifteen to thirty minutes to stage their performances, which displayed various genres from slapstick comedy to skits with dance moves, and some skits that focused on more grave issues concerning the society.
Skitamasha 2011 kicked off on Friday with great anticipation from the Dramaline Society, the teams and the audience alike. The first day of the event staged some brilliant performances, which included the serious play “Teesri Dastak” by the members of the dramatics society. “Teesri Dastak” highlighted the recurring problems that the poor, oppressed people of Pakistan go through. This play was previously performed at a drama competition in FAST University and won awards, among which were the best actor award and the best actress award.
On a more comic note, Shehzad Ghias directed a humorous play “Bohut Kuch Hota Hai” which allowed the audience to sit back and laugh it out. The first night was considered a successes as the venue was oozing with students throughout, who eagerly cheered their friends on stage. The second day had even more talented performances, among which were the plays “Binte” and “Afsos”.
The third and the final day of the event ended the weekend with a bang. The majority of the plays that were staged on Sunday were remarkable in all aspects. Such two plays that were exceptionally moving were “Maa” and “Barri”. “Ma” was directed by a freshman of the dramatics society, UmerFarooqi. It touched upon the unconditional love a mother has for her son.
It moved the audience and prepared them for the next play, which was purely heartbreaking. “Barri”, an adaptation of an Ajoka theatre production directed by Shehzad Ghias, laid stress upon the imperative issue regarding how women are treated in Pakistan. Set in a women’s jail cell, it talks about three women and the injustices they have gone through. The play evoked feelings of sympathy, sorrow, and helplessness.
In the awards ceremony of Skitamsha 2011, actors, actresses, directors, and all those who helped with backstage, lights and sounds were encouraged for their effort and courage to stage plays through these awards that were given to those who were deemed most deserving. The judges which included the Rudaba, an actress, and DramaLine ex-presidents Junaid Fazal and Anum Niaz were blown away by an upcoming actress, Amtul Baweja. She secured the place for all three nominations in the category for best actress and, thus, won the award.
Best actor award was granted to Salman Saroya for “Gardaab”. The award for best supporting actress was given to Dina Arham for her performance in “Bari” and “Gardaab”. Talal Ali Jan won the award for best director for his play “Main Kon Hoon” and Nashit Iqbal won the award for best script for his play “Jaltey Diye”. The biggest award for the event, the category of best play, was given to “Gardaab”, a play put together by the MBAs.
Overall, Skitamasha was successful, as it gave the students three highly enjoyable evenings as they took a step back from their daily routines and took pleasure in the skits performed by their fellow students. It persuaded the audience to think and reflect on the issues around them, it allowed them to laugh and enjoy themselves, it encouraged students to bring out their talents, and motivated them to continue displaying their talent on stage.