Pain of Partition: Of tormented souls and an undying spirit

Neha Saini

Tribune News service

Amritsar, July 29

Ajoka Theatre, Lahore, enjoys an intimate relationship with the Amritsar audience, as whenever the popular and acclaimed theatre group from across the border performs in the city, the auditoriums are generally packed. And so this time, when the group presented a beautiful and inspirational play “Anhi Mayi Da Sufna” at Punjab Natshala, it was obvious that the city audience was left with a lump in the heart and smile on their face.

The audience could feel the every emotional pulse during the performance, as the play was based on memories of Partition and its pangs that are still felt. Directed by Usha Ganguly and written by Shahid Nadeem, the play weaves around an undying dream of visting their native places in both countries by two people displaced during Partition. Mai Janki (a blind woman), who migrated to Amritsar, hopes to visit her village in Pakistan and Ustad Rangu Rang Saaz, who is now in Pakistan, wants to visit his native place in Amritsar. Despite the closed borders and politics of hatred between the two countries, the two do not give up their dream and begin an imaginary journey, which forms the basis of the play.

Amidst the recent tug of war between the two countries and closed borders, the play managed to touch upon the issue with soulful performances. Madeeha Gauhar, who toured with her group in Chandigarh for a five-day theatre festival, said there were so many real-life inspirational stories like these of people, who got dislocated but the resilience of human spirit continued to drive their dreams of visiting their ‘home’ once again.