Inside Kashmir...the show goes on
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"Naad" mounted at the recent Drama Festival, first in over 15 years in the strife-torn Baramulla, was an appeal for peace and tranquility in Kashmir, says SHUJAAT BUKHARI, terming the festival a grand success.
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SHE CAME blindfolded with her mouth gagged to throw open the "Naad" (Call), a Kashmiri play, but was received with a deafening applause at the jam-packed Sherwani Hall in BaramullaThe town, one of the hotbeds of separatist militants, recently hosted a drama festival - for the first time in 15 years - that was organised by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. The three-day festival staged four plays which attracted a large number of people. "It is good. At least a source of entertainment has been revived", commented Akhtar Hussain a young student who came to the Hall on all the three days.
Apart from "Naad", "Zoolanae" (chain), "Zamaney Pok Ne Hamdam" (The time did not go along) and "Dilphut Nagri" were mounted by Wahab Dramatics, Manasbal Dramatic Club and Nowgam Dramatic Club. Directed by Kashmir's ace producer, writer and director Muhammad Amin Bhat, and presented by Mehboob Cultural Society Baramulla, "Naad" kept the audience spellbound for 75 minutes and it dwelt on the ongoing situation in Kashmir. From the plight of Kashmiri Pandits to the demand of division of State to the discrimination being faced by Kashmiri population at the hands of administration, the play touched some sensitive subjects which have come up afresh during the last 15 years. Many interpreted "Naad" as a call to the militants to return to their homes and many thought it was just an appeal to the Kashmiri Pandits to come back to the Valley and play an important part in Kashmir's rich and glorious cultural ethos. "My aim was to highlight the issues and it is up to the people to make out what is needed to be done", said Bhat, jubilant with the tremendous response the play received.
No division of State
The play began with a screaming young woman - blindfolded and mouth gagged - reflecting a situation in which freedom of expression was under attack. The play revolved around a Kashmiri exploited by vested interests. From separatists to pro-India politicians, all of them who are at the helm of affairs add to his sufferings. Two jokers who play the role of exploiters change colours in no time and when situation goes into deep turmoil, they act as eunuchs. A strong message of "No" to the division of State is being conveyed through "Naad".
The plays not only kept the audience captivated but had many in tears as they could relate themselves with the anguished characters playing out their roles. Migration of Kashmiri Pandits has also been highlighted in the play quite differently and it is certainly in contrast to the views of those depicting it as ethnic cleansing in Kashmir. "Kashmiri Muslims have equally suffered and more immensely. They are part of us and surely did suffer but it is a big question who was responsible but certainly not the whole majority", says Bhat.
The characters had all black and white dresses that, according to Bhat, "is theatrical documentation of sufferings of Kashmiri put in black and white". Jameela Mir is the only female performer but hers was the central role. A class 12th student, Jameela says, "I played the role of the mother who has suffered immensely during the turmoil. Theatre is a potential medium to express and I really felt that the role was demanding and challenging. Every artiste was deeply involved in the play and that is why it could convey a strong message". According to Bhat, "Naad" will be staged in Jammu also with an object to put things in right perspective. As the play has gone well with the people demands are pouring in for a repeat of it in Srinagar and elsewhere. Additional Secretary of Academy, N.A. Mir is equally enthused to take the festival to other district headquarters after its remarkable performance in Baramulla. "These plays have given new life to theatre in Kashmir," he says. Indeed the Academy has broken the ice but needs to do more to give a fillip to cultural activities in Kashmir.
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