KARACHI: On twelfth day of ‘Pakistan Theatre Festival’ in Arts Council Karachi, Ajoka Theatre Group presented play ‘Kaun Hai Yeh Gastakh’ in Urdu language to pay homage to renowned writer Saadat Hassan Manto. President Arts Council Ahmad Shah and Writer Shahid Nadeem expressed their views.

Ahmad Shah said that today’s Theatre is result of Shahid Nadeem’s tireless work, outside Pakistan and throughout his life he worked together with his team, our real heroes are these people. Shahid Nadeem said that Ahmed Shah is cultural wizard, Ahmed Shah is providing great opportunities for promotion of art and culture. Manto was our role model and great storyteller. Play is tribute to Manto, this drama covers life of Manto, cast of drama includes Usman Raaj, M Qaiser, Usman Zia, Kamran Mujahid, Bilal Mughal, Shehzad Sadiq, Rizwan Riaz, Hafia Mudassar, Usman Chaudhry and Uzma Hassan. Kaun Hai Yeh Gastakh, written by Shahid Nadeem and directed by Madiha Gohar was first produced in 2012 on birth centenary of Saadat Hassan Manto.

Manto emigrated out of frustration with family pressure and Hindu-Muslim tensions in Bombay which adversely affected environment of Bombay film industry. From his travels from India to Pakistan, his impressions of horrific communal riots are reflected in his writings on partition, Minto’s stories ‘Khuda Ki Qasim’, ‘Khol Do’, ‘Kal Sawere Jo Ankh Meri Khul’, ‘Licence’, ‘Letter to Uncle Sam’, ‘Thanda Gosht’ and ‘Toba’ were performed in dramatic manner while play ends with Majeed Amjad’s powerful poetic tribute to Manto ‘Kaun Hai Yeh Gastakh’. Number of fans were present to watch play and enjoyed best performances of actors.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 21 2023

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