After the tremendous success of ‘Chicago’ and ‘Mamma Mia’, Made For Stage Productions presented ‘Karachi The Musical: Haar Na Mano’ on Monday at the Karachi Arts Council. The show would continue until November 13. Nida Butt, renowned for being one of the most dynamic and original directors and choreographers working in theatre in Pakistan, and Hamza Jafri, seasoned music composer, put together the musical with a completely original score. “It couldn’t be more local – from the script to the music, the actors, singers and musicians. It is integral to support and develop the talent in our local theatre industry” said Nida Butt, the founder and CEO of Made for Stage Productions. “And it’s also the first time we are doing a story which is so relevant to us, our city and our times,” she added.
The musical that has been written by Faraz Lodhi and Uns Mufti is based in the boxing rings of Lyari. Nida Butt and her team went to Lyari and spent time in the gyms with the students, teachers and locals. The 12 original songs that are the lifeline of the musical have been composed, written and arranged by Hamza Jafri, with Faraz Lodhi as the lyricist. The title song ‘Karachi’ has already been released on Sound Cloud and radio, and is already receiving great reviews. “I have been developing some of the tunes on this soundtrack for many years,” said Hamza Jafri. “They happened to fit perfectly with the scenes, and some tunes happened right there and then while watching the scenes. Music has an immediate response on the scenes, and with live visuals and live music together the experience is very intense,” he added.
The story of ‘Haar Na Mano’ goes something like this: Saif Salaam travels all the way from Mailsi to train with arguably the best boxing coach Pakistan has to offer, Ghulam Bashir, who owns the Ghulam Bashir Club in Lyari.
However, there is one catch: Bashir hasn’t coached anyone in the past two decades since he had a falling out with his best buddy Daud Islam who now runs the local mafia that controls drugs, prostitution and betting houses in one of the most troubled parts of the city.
As Saif learns how to spar, he soon realises that his decision to train for a professional boxing career has sparked tension between the age-old rivals, put the livelihood of thousands in the area at risk and exposed his family back home to grave danger.
The boxing rings of troubled Lyari, that’s where the music is
