New Delhi, Jan 13: A banned Pakistani play
highlighting the rigidity of customs and dress code and
ridiculing the system that upholds their sanctity was staged
for the first time in India to a packed house here.
Directed by television producer-playwright Shahid
Nadeem, the play "Burqavaganza" has burqa as its theme as uses
song, some of them drawn from Bollwyood, as well as dance
sequences to ridicule the double standards and moral policing
by vigilantes.
While on one hand, the play follows the story of
young lovers Haseena and Khubroo, on the other hand, it shows
the police hunting for wanted terrorist Bin Baten.
The play was banned by the Pakistan government last
year for being allegedly going against " Quranic injunctions on
the veil".
Nadeem however is unfazed. "We've been, however,
staging the play at the odd platform or two and the response
is inspiring," he said after the play was staged at the Kamani
Auditorium as part of the National School of Drama's Golden
Jubilee celebrations to a capacity crowd that included veteran
actor Zohra Sehgal.
Madeeha Gauhar, the guiding spirit behind Ajoka
Theatre Group that produced the play, said "the play is not
against any Islamic ritual but against the hypocrisy
associated with the veil system."
The play shows all characters (men and women) wearing
burqas, including politicians, terrorist leaders and
policemen.
The stage action is accompanied by the telecast of
burqavision programmes which include a soap, a documentary,
sports programmes, a fashion show and breaking news.
While burqas of all shapes and sizes create images and
situations reminding the audience of the socio-political
situation in the country, two Maulanas respond to queries from
TV viewers about the interpretation and application of
religious teachings.
In the play, the police and the burqa brigade, who
suspect that their veils are too colourful and revealing,
constantly bicker because of their conflicting agendas.
While charismatic scholar Hijab Hashmi inspires her
followers to keep their eyes open for the traitors in burqa,
Bin Baten carries on his bloody fight against the
helmet-covered enemy.
Nadeem, author of over 35 original and adapted plays,
disagreed that there is no space for creative talent in
pakistan as far as art and culture is concerned.
"No doubt, there are roadblocks but those who want to
express themselves are doing so," he said.
The tickets for yesterday's show were booked few days
in advance, the organisers said.
"We came all the way for Gurgaon but got no ticket.
Luckily, we could manage a couple for them from a man whose
friends did not turn up," said Rachna Gulati, who came with
her husband Yash.
"I liked the play a lot. Hope we in India can also
make a play on Ghunghaat," she said.
Bureau Report
