Rozan e Zindan Se
By Khazima Munaf
Stirring performances, exquisite attention to detail and a nostalgia inducing music made ‘Rozan-e- Zindan Se’ a tremendously unforgettable evening.Ajoka Theatre’s play on the epistolary exchanges between poet and socialist Faiz Ahmed Faiz and his wife, Alys, when he was imprisoned along with other activists from 1951-55, were carefully selected and edited by Shahid Nadeem and read out by Naeem Tahir and his wife Yasmin Tahir in the most bewitching of all manners. Published as ‘Dear Heart’, these correspondences were exceptionally translated in Urdu.
Through a simplistic set design-consisting of two desks, a projector and spotlights- the powerful narration of Naeem and Yasmin Tahir helped the audiences understand the context of Faiz’s poetry and the times that shaped him into a figure revered for his intellect. The two-hour dialogue coupled with well received classical performances reflected acutely on their legal matters, comradeship of friends, political affairs of Pakistan and the world, their two daughters and hopes of reuniting.
The delightfully spellbinding dance performances were supported by background scores of Faiz’s poems recited by Tina Sani, Zia Mohyeddin, Madam Noor Jehan and Nayyara Noor. Naeem’s ‘Mujhe shikwa hai mere bhai’ was heart wrenching in its appeal and left many in tears.
“The primary endeavor of this play being to highlight other facts of Faiz’s personality, succeeded through focusing on the relationship he had with his wife. Standing by with her husband and raising two daughters, while continuing the struggle for social justice and tirelessly working for her husband’s freedom was a highly taxing job and hence a laudable achievement.
Coinciding with World Women’s Day, the expression of the sheer determination, loyalty and love Alys reflected and also inspired in Faiz moved many and was a reminder of the role of women in daily lives who manages to retain her industrious efforts to keep life afloat, despite being maligned.
Congratulations to Madiha Gauhar and her team on a well directed and delivered piece of art.
