Play makes memories of Partition fresh

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 11

The second day of the Sukhdev Preet Yaadgari Theatre festival highlighted the tragedy of the lives lost and those who were never found during the Partition. Yatra 1947 was also dedicated to late Pakistani theatre thespian Madeeha Gauhar.

Conceived, written and directed by Kewal Dhaliwal, the play chronicled the distressing pangs of the Partition, sufferings of the innocent people on both sides of the border. Kewal Dhaliwal wrote the script which was based on the works of about 40 poets from India and Pakistan. Eminent poets, whose works echoed the Partition woes, include Nadeem Gauhar, Ustad Daman, Arshad Jahan and others from Pakistan and Amrita Pritam, Surjit Patar, Dr Harbhajan Singh, Joga Singh, Inderjit Singh and others from India.

The play was high on emotions as the trauma had changed human psychology of the time when riots were at their peak during Partition. It was brought alive by actors. Critical of the changed equations during the time and how hatred overcame all other emotions, the play was applauded for remaining true to the narrative.