Ajoka’s ‘Bullah’ instills hope in Peshawarites

PESHAWAR, May 2: Nishtar Hall, the sole theatre of the provincial capital which was shut down about a decade ago after a vulgar dance show, came alive on Sunday evening when famous play 'Bullah' was staged for the first time here. Ajoka Theatre, famous for using its performances for social change since 1983, has brought the play to the city. Perhaps for the first time in years, the people of Peshawar, sick and tired of commercial CD dramas, found an opportunity to watch serious theatre. The provincial culture department in collaboration with the Tourism Corporation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which has been holding cultural events at Nishtar Hall for the last six months, hosted the event. About 200 guests, many perhaps for the first time, enjoyed Ajoka's most popular play based on some of the events from the life of Baba Bulleh Shah, famous mystic and Sufi poet hailing from Kusur (Punjab). "I don't understand Punjabi quite well but some things don't need words to explain," said Jamila, a youngster, after the presentation. Moving scenes with powerful dialogue delivery of artists from Lahore added meaning and effect to the play. The play written by Shahid Nadeen and directed by Madeeha Gauhar depicts Bulleh Shah's religious strife, conflicts of his times and how Bulleh Shah showed humanism against all such odds. The play shows the Sufi poet as a powerful voice who professes tolerance and love in times when there was hatred all around. The hall resounded with applause when Bulleh Shah's verses were presented in the background having meaningful message for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa passing through times similar to those of his period. "This play is thought provoking. We associate so much with what Bulleh Shah had to face in his times," said Ali Khan, another one from the audience. No one could better understand when Bulleh Shah preached to a Sikh named as Bunda not to kill innocent people. Everybody could feel it in their hearts when Bulleh Shah sang his verses about not misusing religion for spreading violence. The play was delivered in Punjabi language but the theme, scenes and the message in the end needed no explanation or translation for the Pashto and Hindhko speaking viewers in the hall. Many had tears in their eyes as Bulleh Shah's moving verses were presented during the play. The dialogues and the verses were loaded with meaning for the Peshawarites, who are also craving for peace and tolerance. The play is broadly based on the events of Bulleh Shah's life as communicated through his poetry, historical record and popular myths and there is no dearth of dramatic episodes in the life of the Sufi poet. His search for truth, his devotion to his mentor Shah Inayat, his conflict with the intolerant clergy and corrupt Nawabs, his opposition to the wars and bloodshed in the name of religion all are incorporated as powerful scenes in the play. Madeeha Gauhar had earlier said that Ajoka dedicated this play to Rehman Baba. The culture department officials are also planning to enact a play with the help of Ajoka on the life and poetry of Pashto Sufi poet Rehman Baba in the near future.