Interactive Resource Centre (IRC) unveiled its 15th edition of Interactive Theatre Festival on Saturday as three short plays were presented by different theatre groups at Ali Auditorium in Lahore. It was a unique event which was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.
Violence against women:
The play titled ‘violence against women’ revolved around the issue of domestic violence against women; especially young girls who are not given the right to marry the man of their choice. The play depicted how a girl is forced to marry against her will in our society. The much debated Women Protection Act was also discussed in the play. The cast of the play was all-men, and it was emphasised that the support of a man is direly needed to break the traditions which deprive women of their rights.
A brother must treat his sister affectionately and a father is supposed to behave in the same way with his daughter, the play stressed. A participant named Unzila said that her father wanted her to marry according to his wish but she rejected that as she enjoyed the support of her brother and uncle. Many participants took part in the discussion and tried to explore different dimensions of the subject. The play was presented by IRC and Mandwa Theatre group.
Kalpana:
Another play titled Kalpana was presented by Jaag Theatre group and all the cast of the play belonged to the minority community of District Bahawalnagar. The play focused on the persecution of minority communities in Pakistan and the harsh behavior of the society which they have to face throughout their life.
The play revolved around the true story that all the cast members had faced at some point in their lives.
The central character of the play named Kalpana revealed her story. She told that her classmates refused to sit with her when she first went to school in Bahawalnagar and introduced herself as a Hindu.
After that incident, I preferred not to disclose my religious identity to avoid such treatment again in my life, she said.
Mirza Sahiba:
The third play, Mirza Sahiba, focused on the traditional folk tale Mirza Sahiba. The perspective of Sahiba was presented which mesmerised the audience. Sahiba had to face the animosity of her own brothers when she fell in love with Mirza and they tried to kill her.
The story of Mirza Sahiba is still alive today as the incidents of honor killing surface frequently in our society and it was masterfully shown in the play.
A character played the role of Farzana Iqbal, the girl who was stoned to death outside Lahore High Court by her relatives two years ago as she dared to marry according to her own wish.
Muhammad Waseem, the director of Interactive Resource Centre told Pakistan Today that his main objective is to engage the audience in the play in a bid to get their feedback and response. “I feel utter satisfaction when the audience engage themselves in the play by giving feedback”, he said.
Noted cartoonist Sabir Nazar, whose apt cartoons were used in ‘Mirza Sahiba’, said that the director of the play has artfully used his cartoons in the play.
