Waiting for Manto

It’s probably the brilliance of Saadat Hasan Manto’s writing that makes a credible production out of the most amateur adaptations of his works. While the quality of the city-based theatre group,Little Thespian’s latest productions Thanda Gosht and Aulaad (both based on Manto’s works) is yet to be determind,one can at least look forward to them simply because they are Manto adaptations. He was after all,one of the greatest Urdu writers who never flinched from putting humanity before religion and was thoroughly punished for it—he was tried for obscenity half-a-dozen times,thrice before and thrice after independence in Pakistan.

The first production,Thanda Gosht is about a near necrophilic experience that leads to a man’s sudden impotence. Partition riots form the background of the story. The other production,Aulaad,is a potent take on female sexuality,addressing the issue through the travails of childless women.

The plays will be staged at the Bhartiya Bhasha Parishad on September 5,6.30pm onwards.