LAHORE: Receiving
a standing ovation for his act based on a short story by Ismat Chughtai
in Lahore, veteran Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah said that his
appearance in the play was the "most memorable performance" of his
career.
"Tonight was the most memorable performance of my life," Shah commented after appearing in a play based on Chughtai's "Gharwali" last night.
The play was part of the acclaimed show "Ismat Apa Ke Naam" that was organised to pay tribute to poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
"Throughout my life I have done theatre and films but the kind of love and appreciation I've got from Lahorites, I never experienced anywhere in the world," Shah said. He performed with his wife Ratna Pathak Shah and daughter Hiba Shah at the Alhamra Art Council.
People from all walks of life including fans of Shah, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and renowned writer Ismat Khanum Chughtai (1915-1991), considered the fourth pillar of Urdu literature enjoyed the lively performances.
The Shah family performed three plays based on Chughtai's short stories - "Chuui Mui", "Mughal Bacha" and "Gharwali".
They were directed by the actor. Chughtai's revolutionary style of writing was well conveyed by the trio and earned them a standing ovation.
Though the stories were different, they dealt with women's issues and the behaviour of a male-dominated society toward women.
Clad in a black sherwani and white pyjamas, Shah offered a brief introduction for the plays. He held Chughtai in high esteem, saying, "I am doing theatre to pay tribute to the great writers of the subcontinent and to introduce a new generation to their fantastic writings."
"Tonight was the most memorable performance of my life," Shah commented after appearing in a play based on Chughtai's "Gharwali" last night.
The play was part of the acclaimed show "Ismat Apa Ke Naam" that was organised to pay tribute to poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
"Throughout my life I have done theatre and films but the kind of love and appreciation I've got from Lahorites, I never experienced anywhere in the world," Shah said. He performed with his wife Ratna Pathak Shah and daughter Hiba Shah at the Alhamra Art Council.
People from all walks of life including fans of Shah, Faiz Ahmad Faiz and renowned writer Ismat Khanum Chughtai (1915-1991), considered the fourth pillar of Urdu literature enjoyed the lively performances.
The Shah family performed three plays based on Chughtai's short stories - "Chuui Mui", "Mughal Bacha" and "Gharwali".
They were directed by the actor. Chughtai's revolutionary style of writing was well conveyed by the trio and earned them a standing ovation.
Though the stories were different, they dealt with women's issues and the behaviour of a male-dominated society toward women.
Clad in a black sherwani and white pyjamas, Shah offered a brief introduction for the plays. He held Chughtai in high esteem, saying, "I am doing theatre to pay tribute to the great writers of the subcontinent and to introduce a new generation to their fantastic writings."
Shah
said not a single word had been changed in the three stories while
transforming them into plays. He regretted the fact that though
Chughtai's writings had been translated into many languages, her role in
her own country was marginalised.
"Her only story famous with people here is 'Layhaaf', which is considered offensive," he said.
Shah, his wife and daughter played all the characters in the three plays. Hiba appeared in the first play based on "Chuhi Mui", which was about a woman whose only ambition in life is to become pregnant.
The second play "Mughal Bacha" featured Ratna, who moved nicely between performing as the narrator and the character.
"Mughal Bacha" was about a person's ego and the frivolous nature of men and the way they show arrogance to their wives.
The story-telling by Ratna made it even more intimate.
The third and final story of the evening, "Gharwali", featured Shah. It was the story of a maid with a loose character. Lajjo, the main character, is the heartthrob of many in her neighbourhood. Shah portrayed all characters, including Lajjo, with ease and left the audience spellbound.
He received a thunderous round of applause and a standing ovation.
After the performance, Shah told journalists he wanted to see the revival of the Pakistan film industry. Shah has acted in two Pakistani films the hit "Khuda Key Liye" and "Zinda Bhag", which is due to be released soon.
Shah said Pakistani artists should perform in Indian movies and people-to-people contacts should be enhanced so that both countries could come closer.
"Her only story famous with people here is 'Layhaaf', which is considered offensive," he said.
Shah, his wife and daughter played all the characters in the three plays. Hiba appeared in the first play based on "Chuhi Mui", which was about a woman whose only ambition in life is to become pregnant.
The second play "Mughal Bacha" featured Ratna, who moved nicely between performing as the narrator and the character.
"Mughal Bacha" was about a person's ego and the frivolous nature of men and the way they show arrogance to their wives.
The story-telling by Ratna made it even more intimate.
The third and final story of the evening, "Gharwali", featured Shah. It was the story of a maid with a loose character. Lajjo, the main character, is the heartthrob of many in her neighbourhood. Shah portrayed all characters, including Lajjo, with ease and left the audience spellbound.
He received a thunderous round of applause and a standing ovation.
After the performance, Shah told journalists he wanted to see the revival of the Pakistan film industry. Shah has acted in two Pakistani films the hit "Khuda Key Liye" and "Zinda Bhag", which is due to be released soon.
Shah said Pakistani artists should perform in Indian movies and people-to-people contacts should be enhanced so that both countries could come closer.
