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The Times of India
The Times of India
National
Bella Jaisinghani | TNN

'Jis Lahore Nahi Dekhya': Play on partition to complete 400 shows on March 7

MUMBAI: Ank theatre group's famous play 'Jis Lahore Nahi Dekhya' will stage its 400th show, and complete a 20-year run, at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu, March 7. Special mementos will be distributed to the cast and crew.

Written by Syed Asghar Wajahat in 1980, the Partition-era story revolves around a Muslim family which migrates from Lucknow to Lahore and is allotted a 'haveli' vacated by a Hindu family. The old Hindu matriarch who refuses to leave her ancestral home strikes a rare bond with the Muslim immigrants.

Actor-director Dinesh Thakur of Ank staged it in January 2003, anguished by the communal strife wrought by the Gujarat riots. His wife and lead actor Preeta Mathur Thakur, who has carried forward his legacy since his death in 2012, says the message of harmony embedded in 'Jis Lahore...' is still relevant given the fissures that have emerged in Indian society again.

Preeta Thakur recalled the highs and lows of the journey, including standing ovations by Indian, Pakistani and Arab spectators, and the death of actor Dharmesh Tiwari suddenly during their tour in Pathankot.

Actor Atul Mathur who plays the Pahalwan said, "The play is set in Partition so it seems it is a period play, but similar characters still exist. No religion teaches hate. But there is always someone who spreads hatred through his own interpretation. My character of Pahalwan thinks that he knows his religion best. Every religion has one Pahalwan who has zero knowledge, but will claim to be the saviour of his religion."

Theatre director Salim Arif, who designed the costumes, initially wanted to produce 'Jis Lahore..' himself but Dinesh Thakur staged it first. He said, "Dineshji insisted I design the costumes. The play resonates with me because I come from a family of freedom fighters who chose to continue living in India rather than migrate to Pakistan. They believed in the idea of India. Partition continues to be a reference for communal conflict, and its lessons are still relevant."

Actor Aman Gupta plays the role of narrator Shair Nasir Fazli, the Indian who migrates to Pakistan with his parents. He said, "My character is of open mind and does not believe in any religion accept humanity. Even in a confrontation with a local goon he tries to convey that (people of) all religions are equally good or bad. Fazli is emotionally attached to Mai, the only Hindu survivor in Lahore. He does not want her to leave the city because she will not be able to find Lahore anywhere just as he is not able to find Hindustan."

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