Tag: culture and languages

Nam Te Maaz Explained the Strong Communal Bonds of Kashmir

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by Maleeha Sofi
SRINAGAR: In Kashmiri language and culture, Nam te Maaz depicts an unbreakable bond. This phrase was the title of the last play of the 8-day-long Theatre Festival Kashmir 2023.
The play showcased the relationship between Kashmir Hindus and Kashmir Muslims and their journey over years.
The play opened with a narration briefing about the living of both religions together in Kashmir until the 1990s when most of the Kashmir Hindus moved out. The narrator spoke about the brotherhood between the two and the unbreakable bond which remained unaffected after decades of separation and misunderstandings.
It narrated the story of Roop Kishan Dhar who lived in Raj Bagh. He also left Kashmir in the 1990s and Jan Sahab, a local Kashmiri Muslim took care of his home. Dhar would often visit his home even after going to Jammu and later settling in America.
The stage showed two houses, one of a Hindu and the other of a Muslim. Religious signs were used to identity the two homes.
The play starts with a conversation between Dhar and Jan Sahab. Dhar has visited Kashmir after a long time. He is seen in a Pheran, the traditional Kashmir cloak that is now being seen as part f Kashmir identity. They talk about their lives, children, and the changes that have occurred. Jan Sahab had a conversation with his wife after this where he also shares his connection with Dhar.

The next conversation is again between Jan Sahab and Dhar where they talk about the time when Dhar left Kashmir and the conflict that continued. They recounted the loss that both sides faced.
Artists who performed theatre play Nam te Maaz in Tagore Hall as part of the Kashmir Theatre Festival 2023. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur
Once in a conversation, Dhar noticed a window from Jan Sahab’s house that opened into Dhar’s land. The conversation turned into verbal duelling. Jan Sahab gives a word to Dhar on fixing the issue by removing the window.
Afterward, in a monologue, Dhar talks to himself expressing his varied opinion about the matter. He seems to be confused about whether he has done right or wrong but then he convinces himself that if he would not do this Jan Sahab would gradually take over his whole land.
The play is placed at a time when the Covid19 had started beginning and impacted the lives across the world. Dhar tested positive for the virus. He was quarantined. Jan Sahab did not stop going to his place. He would still go to Dhar with meals. This was despite the fcat that his family was quite upset with this behaviour as they thought the virus could spread to them.
As Dhar recovered, he got ready to go back to America. While leaving, he expressed his gratitude to Jan Sahab and his family. He gives them gifts. Jan Sahab also reveals the truth about constructing the window from his side as it has been suggested by his father to keep an eye on Dhar’s home. Dhar realises his mistake and asks him to perish the wall separating both houses.
The play was presented by JK Cultural Revolution, written by Sohan Lal Koul, directed by Gul Riyaz, designed by Hassan Javaid, assistant direction by Showkat Magray, and set design by Mohammad Yousuf Mir and Imran Farooq. The characters were played by Qazi Faiz – Dhar, Hassan Javaid-Jan Sahab, Shafiya Maqbool – Jaan’s Wife, Aashiq Hussain- Zameer(Son), Syed Shabir Rizvi- paramedic.

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#Nam #Maaz #Explained #Strong #Communal #Bonds #Kashmir
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

March 19, 2023
Horrors of Drug Abuse Staged in Dakh-e-Loor At Tagore Hall

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by Maleeha Sofi
SRINAGAR: Given the rise in drug addiction in Kashmir, the seventh play of Theatre Festival Kashmir 2023 staged the consequences of the menace. The name Dakh-e-Loor (Walking stick or walking cane) implies the old age support of people that are their children who are ruined due to drugs. The play is written by Dildar Ashraf Shah and presented by the Shahkaar Cultural society.
The play starts with a conversation between an old man – Khoje Salaam and a lady. The former asks the latter about her brother. She replies in anger that he has spoiled the lives of the young people and their families.
The next scene is a conversation between Bilal and Waseem. Bilal is lying on the road and, when asked why, replies that he needs the drug. They belong to low-income families and can’t manage money from their homes, so they choose theft and involve other people. While talking, they see Jehangir and call him. Jehangir belongs to an affluent family. He shares his problem of not being loved enough by his father – Mansoor since he lost his mother. He craves love, even though he gets more than enough money from his father. Waseem and Bilal somehow persuade him to attain happiness through drugs. Jehangir argues with his father every day to get the money.
Jehangir starts to return home late. Tota, their servant, whom he treats like a brother, gets concerned about Jehangir’s condition and repeatedly insists his father take the matter seriously. Mansoor always gives excuses for his busy schedule.
One day when Jehangir leaves home, Tota convinces Mansoor to follow him. Meanwhile, Jehangir, Waseem, and Bilal go to a graveyard to have a ‘special drug’ where Waseem gives them injections for intravenous intoxicants. As soon as Jehangir injects it, he falls unconscious. The other two ignored him and went to have a meal. Mansoor and Tota while trying to find Jehangir reached the same spot and found him lying unconscious. Coincidentally, a doctor passes by and Mansoor calls her for help. On checking, she declared him dead. Mansoor couldn’t bear the shock and he died too.
Artists who performed in the theatre play Dakh-e-Loor, focusing on the costs and consequences of drug abuse in Kashmir. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur
The play sheds light on the alarming rise in drug abuse and its consequences. During the whole play, there was a good mix of seriousness and comedy. A few incidents could have been improved, especially in the beginning Bilal was shown in dire need of drugs that he was losing himself, but as soon as the conversation began, without consuming any intoxicant he was behaving fine which seemed a little off. In another act where Mansoor moves out to find a doctor, he finds her family doctor outside the graveyard in full uniform and a stethoscope which also appeared unnatural.

The play was written and directed by Dildar Ashraf Shah, and presented by Shahkaar Cultural Society and assistant director of the play is Jameela Akhter. The character of Mansoor was played by Mohammad Rafiq Mattoo, Jehangir by Fuzail Farooq, Tota by Mohammad Zaki, Waseem by Gulzar Ahmad Khanday, Bilal by Junaid Manzoor, Khoje Salaam by Shakeel Ahmad Naqash, Nargis by Tehseena Afaq Mir and Dr Henna by Jameela Akhter. The set effects were managed by Waris Hamid Khan, make up by Tehseena and Jameela, sound operation by Ajaz Ahad Saboon, Light operation by Tariq Hajini, costume by Javeed Jameel, property by Bilal Ganderbali, and overall in-charge is Shakeel-ul-Rehman.

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#Horrors #Drug #Abuse #Staged #DakheLoor #Tagore #Hall
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

March 15, 2023
Akh Pryetch Staged the Sensitivity That People Forget In Anger

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by Maleeha Sofi
SRINAGAR: The play named Akh Pryetch, the fifth play in the series of eight-day long Theatre Festival Kashmir 2023, was a riddle. Written by broadcaster Nisar Naseem and presented by Yamberzal Youth Club, it triggered curiosity among the audience, mostly college students.
The play touches on sensitive issues like short-tempered behaviour ruining relationships, parental conflicts traumatizing children, mistrust leading to relationship failures, and misuse of Islamic laws without proper knowledge.
The play had soft music start with a stage set up as a room. There is an almirah which has given space to some books and toys, a dressing table, and a couch. A conversation between the housewife – Aisha and her guest Rahman Khar, apparently a transgender opens the play. Rahman Khar is shown to have a split personality of a man and a woman. Interestingly he is desirous of marrying Aisha.
Aisha, played by Shafiya Maqbool is the wife of Amin played by Fayaz Ahmad Rather. They have two children and live happily together. Once a man visits them complaining about his son-in-law’s decision to leave his daughter over some land dispute. Amin responds to him aggressively and is shocked to know that someone can leave his partner over a petty issue.
Gradually, the issue rises in their family as well. From arguing over their children’s upbringing to talking nicely to a colleague and doubting her for cheating, Amin gets angry easily. It shows his short-tempered behaviour. Aisha behaved patiently but did not let her husband humiliate her. On a minute issue of complaining over her husband’s smoking, they get into an argument which leads to their divorce by, what is hugely debated, the triple Talaq.
Aisha shatters down by this as their marriage of 14 years has been broken. The children witnessed the fight between parents and their facial expressions tried to show the trauma that such children face.

Aisha’s brother and Rahman Khar insist Amin bring Aisha back but he does not listen to anyone. Aisha visits the local lawmaker for help but he refuses to help. While being alone, she imagines having a conversation with Amin. This scene is added phenomenally by a song in Jameela Akhter’s voice.
Meanwhile, Amin also imagines pictures of Aisha’s affair with his colleague and Rahman Khar. But immediately, he realises that she has been with him through thick and thin and she can’t cheat. He goes to Aisha and apologizes.
Aisha who was waiting for him and cried day in and out refused to get back together. Amin’s realisation would not change the fact that he had divorced her through the Islamic Shariah and the precondition for reconciliation was impossible for Aisha to follow.
Theatre artists who performed in the Akh Pryetch (A riddle) that was staged in Tagore Hall as part of teh Kashmir theatre festival 2023. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur
The female lead- Shafiya Maqbool hooked the audience with her effortless expressions and perfection in dialogue delivery. She seemed to be completely in her character. Somehow, the coherence in the first half of the play was missing. There were some gaps left which created unwanted questions among the audience.
Written by Nisar Naseem, presented by Yamberzal Youth Club, directed by Javaid Ahmad Khan, assistant direction by Shahid Malik, Costumes by Shabir Ahmad Mir, light designed by Balbir Singh, Song by Jameela Akhter, production management by Javaid Kashmiri, stage management by Shahzad Shabir, Makeup by Younis Ahmad Hafiz and Set designed by Basharat Hussain. The on-stage artists were Fayaz Ahmad Rather as Amin, Shafiya Maqbool as Aisha, Shahnawaz Bhat as Rehman, Asif Khan as Aslam, Fayaz Sofi as Mohammad Bhat, Younis Ahmad Hafiz as MLA, Khursheed Ahmad Mir as Fayaz and Arbeen Jan and Zieya Jan as children.

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#Akh #Pryetch #Staged #Sensitivity #People #Forget #Anger
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

March 11, 2023
Artists Displayed How Timely and Better Tankha Binds Families

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by Maleeha Sofi
SRINAGAR: It is something that is basic to almost everybody – Tankha, the salary. It is always a matter of concern for everybody working for the government or private sector. This was the theme of the fourth play in the ongoing Theatre Festival Kashmir 2023. The play is written by Rashid Gamgeen and presented by Dilshad Cultural Forum.
A group photograph of artists who performed the theatre play, Tankha (salary) in the Cultural Academy’s Theatre Festival in Tagore Hall in March 2023. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur
As the curtain raised, a farmer offered greetings to everyone. The man was worried about the barren land and chose to work on it to make it fertile again. A woodcutter, a Hindu, and a Sikh joined him.
Everyone asked him about what he was doing there and shared it. They all mutually intend to follow the path of brotherhood to bloom the barren land and they dance together. This segment was the opening and the actual play followed later.
Tankha revolves around a family of four, Mohammad Amin, Maimoona, and their two kids Zamrooda and Tariq. The scene starts with a small house set up and a lady – Maimoona ranting about the miseries she faces all the time with respect to her work, lack of resources, and inability to live a better life. Her husband, Mohammad Amin who works on an honorarium basis returns from his work and questions her behaviour. She complains about his little salary of Rs 3000, jammed salary of two months and not fulfilling any of her demands. They get into an argument while both of them complain about their problems.
In another scene, an office with some clerks is shown where Mohammad Amin works. All of them have faced the same issue in their homes. They talk about the debt, load of work, less salary, corruption, and apart from all this the misunderstanding that people have about them having huge amounts of money. They even consider business is better than their job.
At home, when Mohammad Amin offers prayers and asks for respite from debt, a voice responds to him saying that might is right and he should not follow the right path always. He gets scared about this suggestion and asks him where the voice is coming from. The voice replies, “I am your soul.” This scene somehow shows a person’s fight with himself to follow the righteous path at a time when choosing the wrong one can resolve your problems.
The debtors frequently visit Amin’s home asking for their money. The couple assures them of returning it soon. As soon as Amin gets his salary of two months, he distributes it among the debtors and the rest to his children for some school activities. The whole salary goes into it and the couple gets into the argument again. Maimoona has to attend her brother’s wedding and she demands certain things for it.

Mohammad Amin fell ill and had a high fever. His wife doesn’t believe it at first, but later on, seeing the condition worsening, she believes. Amin gives her the money and things she demanded. Maimoona was shocked after knowing that Amin had sold his watch and scooter. He had done it out of love for her wife as she used to fight and cry over the issue. She feels bad about it and the couple gets emotional.
The play shows the efforts put in by such employees to meet the ends of their families. He suggests his children opt for government school instead of private but they refuse by giving the reason that everyone goes to private schools. His wife also timely compares herself to neighbouring ladies and their lifestyle. It shows the reality that people instead of focusing on rightly managing their lifestyle compare with other people and add to the miseries.
The play is written by Rashid Gamgeen, presented by Dilshad Cultural Forum, directed by Dilshad Mustafa, assistant direction by Akash G.M Bahar, and set designed by Saleem Yousuf. The cast line included Mukhtar Ahmad as Mohammad Amin, Shahida Alvi as Maimoona, Ghulam Mohammad Bahar as Bilal, Mohammad Yousuf Dar as Akram, Ali Mohammad Mir as Hilal, Aamir Ahmad Malik, Tasaduk Hussain, and Sajad Hussain as debtors, Mohammad Yousuf Ganie as Dervish, Ghulam Hussain Hak Nawaz as his assistant, Shazia Akhter as Zamrooda and Munawar Ali as Tariq.

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#Artists #Displayed #Timely #Tankha #Binds #Families
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

March 9, 2023
Arinmaal Staged Kashmir’s Afghan Era Poetess’s Love Story

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by Maleeha Sofi
SRINAGAR: The curtains rose to the sound of water gushing and birds chirping, offering an idea of a serene spot lacking noise and visibility. Melodious background music added to the sensory appeal.
As soon as the stage lit up, a beautiful set-up of the village could be seen. Heemal, played by Zareena Ali, came to wash dishes as any normal village girl. Shahi Mumtaz gave voice to the character in the play. As Heemal was seen dancing, her friend played by Jameela Akhter asked for the reason. The whole conversation took place in a rhythmic manner exhibiting the poetic capacity of the two Kashmir women. Heemal expressed her happiness over her marriage tie-up that had taken place a day before.
It was the play surrounding the life of Arinmal, a Kashmiri poetess, who has left behind a lot of poetry and lived an interesting life. The next scene showed up two men explaining the life of Heemal. She was born in a Hindu family in Palhalan (Baramulla). Born in 1718, when Kashmir was misruled by Afghans. Intelligent and beautiful, the conversation suggested that she wanted to study, but women’s education was not in vogue.
The cast line of theatre play Arinmaal that was staged in Tagore Hall Srinagar on March 3, 2023. KL Image: Bilal Bahadur
Her parents, however, provided her with all the possible education, they could afford within the confines of their Palhalan home. She was fond of poetry and literature.
At a very young age, she was married to Bhawani Das Kachroo, a resident of Rainawari in Srinagar, who worked on a very high post in administration. Besides, he was also a good Persian poet and wrote under the name Naikoo. Heemal nodded for the marriage for the common love of literature among both of them. This was the point from where she was known as Arnimaal.
The play was presented by Saath Theatre Group, directed, written and designed by Manzoor Ahmed Mir. The music direction was done by Raja Bilal. The songs in the play were sung by Shahi Mumtaz and recorded at Folk Studio Srinagar.

Palhalan’s Arinmaal
The couple loved each other immensely until the day Bhavani Das returned home drunk. He was furious at Arnimaal and accused her of causing him humiliation. Unaware of the cause that frustrated the Afghan coutier, she insisted but failed to elicit a response. Following days Bhavani Das became alcoholic and frequented Srinagar’s dance bars.
When Arnimaal came to know about her husband’s new found refuge in dancing, she made efforts to get him out of bars. In an attempt to make her husband fall in love again, she practiced singing and dancing. Even though she struggled hard but he did not give up.
In fact, when Bhavani Das learned about it, he raised her hand against her and defended himself by saying that the religion, culture and society gives man the freedom to do whatever he wants. She refuted him politely which worsened the situation between them. He asked her to leave his home. However, she stayed back. Bhavani Das spent most of the time outside. Nobody talked to her.
Meanwhile, she planned to go back to her parents many times, but her intellect did not allow her. Eventually, one day, an angry Bhavani Das succeeded in throwing her out of his home.
Arnimaal went back to Palhalan where she waited for him for several years without any change in her love towards her estranged husband. On the other hand, Bhavani’s hate also remained unchanged.
Eventually she lost her sane self and turned old and dull. She died on the same place where the play started. Bhavani’s servant was provoking him against Arnimaal. When the news of Bhavani’s behaviour reached the governor, he was upset. After facing humiliation, Bhavani Das went to Palhalan but it was late already as she was no more. He arrived when the funeral of Arnimaal was going on. He regretted his actions. The darkness that would follow was shown by the lights that turned off marking the end of the play.
Throughout the play, Arnimaal sang songs that explained and detailed the situation she was in. The dresses chosen for Arnimaal in the play also added to the character that shifted from modest when she was unmarried to bright and glittery during her marriage, then simple but colourful during the conflict and completely dull towards the end.
The Arnimaal cast line included Zareena Ali, her friend by Jameela Akhter, Bhavani Das Kachroo by Ashraf Nagoo. The narrators in the play were Mehrajuddin Bhat, Reyaz Ahmed Mir, Haseena Sofi, Farid Ahmed Sheikh. The dancer was played by Midhat. Other artists were Shagufta Rehman, Ghulam Mohammed Bhagat, Manzoor ul Islam Bhagat, M Iqbal Bhagat, Irfan Ahmad Bhagat, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat and Bilal Ahmad Bhat. The properties were provided by Gulzar Ahmad Dar, costumes by Shaheen Masarat, Set by Mir Adil, Make-up by Aijaz Ahmad. The lights were operated by Tariq Hajini.

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#Arinmaal #Staged #Kashmirs #Afghan #Era #Poetesss #Love #Story
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

March 5, 2023