Across the Border

The roots of fundamentalism in the subcontinent run deep,perhaps deeper than the Partition of India, says Sheema Kermani,whose group Tehrik-e-Niswan is part of the Pakistani contingent at the ongoing Bharat Rang Mahotsav...

Two Pakistani theatre troupes bring political commentary to the Bharat Rang Mahotsav

The roots of fundamentalism in the subcontinent run deep,perhaps deeper than the Partition of India, says Sheema Kermani,whose group Tehrik-e-Niswan is part of the Pakistani contingent at the ongoing Bharat Rang Mahotsav,the annual festival of Delhis National School of Drama. The only other troupe from across the border is Ajoka Theatre,which will hold the India premier of its 2008 play,Hotel Mohenjodaro.

Indias cricket tour of Pakistan may be off,but the presence of the two groups affirms that cultural dialogue has survived despite the current diplomatic freeze. It hasnt been smooth sailing though. NSDs original plan had included a performance of Salman Shahids Glad Tidings and Abdullah. They dropped out suddenly due to

logistical and organizational problems rather than Indo-Pak tensions, says Anuradha Kapoor,director of NSD. Ajoka Theatre,that toured India with Bullah in December was then invited to fill in the vacant s lot.

Kapoor adds that both plays present a strong political commentary,especially on the present state of the subcontinent. Hotel Mohenjodaro provides a glimpse into the retrogressive ideology of religious fundamentalists who propagate a rigid interpretation of Islam. Written in the mid-1960s when religious fanatics were marginalised in Pakistan,it finds an echo in the contemporary realities of the country.

Tehrik revisits the Partition through Jinnay Lahore Nahin Vekhya,an adaptation of a Habib Tanvir play. A family of Indian Muslims is allotted a house after they migrate to Pakistan. Even as they settle in,they find to their surprise that the house wasnt exactly empty an old Hindu woman,mother of the former owner has been hiding there all along. We have worked on the original script to make it more relevant to our situation in Pakistan,how religion is used by goonda elements for vested interests and the rise of intolerance, explains Kermani.

The play is full of layers for her personally. A Bharatnatyam and Odissi dancer,she was the first Pakistani to introduce Odissi in Pakistan and even now,hers is the only institute in Pakistan that teaches the dance. Kermani was on an ICCR scholarship to India when she met Tanvir as he first staged the play in 1989. After coming back to Pakistan we did this play for the first time in 1991. This was during General Zia ul Haqs dictatorship and the play eventually got banned, she recalls. The group staged it secretly and was amazed when a large number turned up to watch it. The popularity shows that. We bond together on the basis of the same culture,same language,same heritage,same history; we must celebrate our similarities.

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Jinnay Lahore Nahin Vekhyawill be staged at 9.30 pm today at NSD
Hotel Mohenjodaro will be staged on January 19 at 2.30pm and 6pm at NSD
Contact: 23383420

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More

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Across the Border

The roots of fundamentalism in the subcontinent run deep,perhaps deeper than the Partition of India, says Sheema Kermani,whose group Tehrik-e-Niswan is part of the Pakistani contingent at the ongoing Bharat Rang Mahotsav...

The roots of fundamentalism in the subcontinent run deep,perhaps deeper than the Partition of India, says Sheema Kermani,whose group Tehrik-e-Niswan is part of the Pakistani contingent at the ongoing Bharat Rang Mahotsav...