An exceptional performance themed on a poem, reflecting optimism, of Faiz Ahmed Faiz ‘Umeed-e-Sehar ki Baat Suno’ grasped the attention of a jam-packed auditorium at the National Language Authority (NLA) where students portrayed how Faiz brought revolutionary changes in an oppressed society through his poetry.
The students of University of Gujarat (UoG) performed the mime show – a form of theatre in which movements and expression are presented through body language at ‘An Evening Dedicated to Faiz’, organised by the varsity in collaboration with the NLA, Higher Education Commission (HEC) and National Testing Service Pakistan (NTS).
The performance depicts the hope, which emerged in the oppressed and brutal society, as Faiz narrated in his poetry. The expressions showed how society reacts in tyrannical regimes and a ray of hope overshadows frustration.
Alia Rasheed, a Lahore-based singer, presented the great poet’s poetry in her soothing voice while Ustad Raees Ahmed played violin on the occasion.
Haroon Habib, a lecturer at the School of Art, Design and Architecture UoG, said the performance was based on the struggle during a period when Faiz was arrested in ‘Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case’. “Through this performance, we would like to depict similarities between past and present as we are currently suffering oppression in way similar to what the people had two to three decades ago.” Habib said. A number of literary personalities, teachers and students participated and enjoyed the musical and artistic performances.
Pro Dr Muhammad Nizamudin, the vice-chancellor of UoG, described youth as the real future and ray of hope for Pakistan, saying that was the reason why Faiz addressed the youth as an agent of change and urged them to play a proactive role for protecting the rights of oppressed classes.
Quaid-i-Azam Alumni Association Secretary General Murtaza Noor explained the objectives of the programme. He was of the view that poetry and message by Faiz was a real source of inspiration for the weak segments of the society.
The event was a continuation of series of activities as the government announced the 2011 as the Faiz Year, in which a number of events, including seminars, conferences and exhibitions, are being arranged across the country.
