- Ajoka executive director recounts theatre’s exploits in India
It was a breeze of fresh air for both Pakistan and India in the wake of growing tensions between two countries as a forty-member team of Ajoka Theatre presented its highly acclaimed plays in Delhi from 14 to 17 September last month.
The theatre festival named “HUMSAYA” was the first such festival to feature exclusively Pakistani plays.
Ajoka Executive Director Shahid Nadeem narrated the journey of his team in a press conference held at Alhamra Hall on Thursday saying that as they arrived in India, a lot of hype had been created by the mainstream newspapers and channels which were reporting about the Pakistan based theatre. The festival was organized by an Indian based non-profit organization, “Routes to Roots,” and all the performances were held in Kamani Auditorium -the biggest auditorium in New Delhi.
Nadeem said that Ajoka presented four plays during their stay in India: “Bullha”, “Daara”, “Kaun hy ye Gustaakh” and “Lo phir basant ayi” enthralling huge audiences. The festival was inaugurated by the Cultural Minister of India Mahesh Sharma who belongs to the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP). He was attending a Pakistani function for the first time.
Nadeem revealed that the Acting High Commissioner (HC) of Pakistan in India Mansoor Ahmed Khan was doubtful about the arrival of Sharma because of his ‘harsh stance’ on Pakistan. The HC of Pakistan was surprised when the minister showed up to the event.
He further added that the art and culture critics in India were surprised by Ajoka’s bold satire presented in its plays which showed that the theatre enjoyed freedom and liberty in Pakistan. It was also a great moment for the Qawwals of Ajoka that they performed live at the shrine of Hazrat Nizaamuddinn Aulia in Delhi with their own instruments and vocals.
Nadeem, who has written the screenplay of the recently released movie “Manto”, told Pakistan Today that the voice of “Manto” had crossed the border and the movie would be screened in the upcoming film festivals of Mumbai and Kolkata.
The Ajoka Theatre also organized “Indo-Pak Theatre for Peace” seminar in Jawaharnal Nehru University in Delhi. Panelists on the occasion included Usha Ganguli from Kolkata, Ashis Sen Gupta from Shiligri, North Bengal, Kewal Dhaliwal from Amritsar and Asghar Nadeem Syed from Lahore. Ajoka The theatre has been performing in India for the past 26 years but this festival was unprecedented in nature as all the performances were produced by Pakistanis.