Theatre tributes to Safdar Hashmi at JNU in Delhi

Lakshya, the theatre society of Kamala Nehru College, presented the play Justice Abhi Far Hai. The play highlighted the difference in which the judiciary functions for all those who are powerful and commoners. “In our country, all those who are rich, powerful and influential have been enjoying all sorts of privileges. The judiciary is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring equality and justice to one and all, but the present scenario of our society is a little different. There are numerous cases of politicians, corporates and actors, who even after committing crimes are continuing with their respective professions. With the play, we tried to analyze this differential treatment that prevails in our society,” shared Radhika, member of the theatre society.

While addressing the audience, Kanhaiya Kumar, who was also present at the event, said , “It is an important day for all of us who wish to change the prevailing order of the society. We celebrate this day as Safdar Hashmi’s birthday and we all know that he was killed by goons while performing one of his famous plays, Halla Bol. From then on, Sahmat and other theatre groups have been celebrating this day as National Street Theatre Day. Theatre, music, art and literature gives you the power to spread a message in an effective manner.”

Bigul, an independent theatre group enacted the short story by Saadat Hasan Manto called Peerun. It presented a light-hearted romance between Peerun and Brij. “This was the first time when we did a play without any socio-political message. We think producing plays with direct messages of love and harmony should be the norm. So, we thought of bringing it between the audiences through Manto’s Peerun,” said Chetna, member of the theatre group.

Ankur, the dramatics society of SGTB Khalsa College, presented its annual production, Untitled. Last year, Welcome To The Machine – a play by Ankur was banned by ABVP members. So, this time when they presented their play, Untitled, they began with mocking all those who wish to re-evaluate the script of these street plays. “The play is ‘untitled’ for a very important reason – because the times are so oppressive, that taking direct names almost shout out for censorship. The idea of freedom is a myth, and it’s to these dark times that the team responds to through the play. We strongly condemn the ban culture being imposed on not just art, but all forms of expression,” shared Sarabjot, president of the theatre group.