From the valleys of Kashmir to Lucknow

The Musical play Habba Khatoon, Nightingale of Kashmir based on a true love story was staged at Kala Mandapam Auditorium. Organised by Athar Nabi, Nawab Masood Abdullah and Bilal Noorani Wamiq, the play had veteran actor Raza Murad as a chief guest, who also felicitated Kajal Suri, Ziya Ahmad Khan and Aslam Khan with shawls, flowers and mementos.

(L) Athar Nabi (R) Huzaifa Shahid

(L) Nawab Jafar Mir Abdullah (R) Kajal Suri

Raza Murad, while addressing the audience, shared, “Iss sheher se bada pyaar hai yahan ki tehzeeb se yahan ke logo se ek roohani lagao hai. Aye shehr-e- Lucknow tujhe mera salaam hai, tera hi naam dusra jannat ka naam hai.” Written and directed by Kajal Suri, the play included theatre artists from Delhi who performed the story of the famous 16th-century Kashmiri poetess whose verses still echo on the roads of Kashmir. The life story of Habba Khatoon consisted of many struggles in her personal and poetic journey. The play portrayed the beauty and culture of Kashmir along with perfectly designed costumes and enchanting music in the background. In the play, the character of Habba Khatoon or Zoon was played by Chand Mukherjee and her lover Yusuf’s character was played by Shantanu Singh.
- Amina Ashraf

(L) Nawab Masood Abdullah (R) Zafar Nabi

Raza Murad

(L) Salim Arif (R) Sanyukta Bhatia