Theater Does Its Part to Improve Indo-Pak Relations

Ajoka Theatre, a non-profit Pakistani theater group, will take its message of peace and hope to India.
Theater Does Its Part to Improve Indo-Pak Relations
Masooma Haq
12/30/2008
Updated:
12/30/2008
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—Ajoka Theatre, a non-profit Pakistani theater group, took its message of peace and hope to India. In a time of particularly tense relations between Pakistan and India, Ajoka performed their play “Bulha” during the International Theatre Festival of Kerala, a 10-day event in India at the end of December.

According to Ajoka’s Web site (www.ajoka.org.pk), “Bulha” revolves around the life and message of Bulleh Shah (1680–1758), an admired Sufi mystic poet, who lived when strife and intolerance reigned, during the downfall of the Mughal Empire. Using his poetry, historical information, and popular stories about his life, the play tries to capture the spirit of Bulleh Shah’s teachings on tolerance and love.

Pakistan and India, both nuclear-armed nations, have had tense, if not volatile relations ever since the partition of India in 1947. The last few years have seen increased civility and more open dialogue between the two countries, but the November attacks in Mumbai by alleged Pakistani terrorists threaten to reverse the positive gains.

According to the Daily Times, a Pakistani newspaper, Ajoka Theatre is determined to play its part in improving Indo-Pak relations despite being advised to stay in Pakistan for security reasons. Based in Lahore, Pakistan, the group says it has been advocating peace and brotherhood between India and Pakistan for the last 25 years.

“We believe in dialogue and negotiation… The play gives the message of humanity and peace,” said Ajoka Theatre’s artistic director, Madeeha Gauhar to the Daily Times.
Masooma Haq began reporting for The Epoch Times from Pakistan in 2008. She currently covers a variety of topics including U.S. government, culture, and entertainment.
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