National Award winner to bring Sindhi love sagas to Pune

Sassi-Pannu and Moomal-Rano are among the eternal love stories that have been recorded by Sindhi Sufi mystic from 1600s, Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, in the book Shah Jo Risalo. On March 31, a dastangoi performance will navigate audiences through seven love stories at Raah, a literacy and cultural centre in Pune.

The performer Ashwin Chitale, known by his stage name Ashwin Afraad, juggles multiple skills, as an actor, writer, director, performer. From Sadashiv Peth, Afraad won the National Award for Best Child Actor for his performance in the film, Shwaas, in 2005. Shwaas was the first Marathi film nominated for the Oscars.

“From 2016, I have been involved in theatre. It was while conducting academic research on Rumi that I came across Bhittai, who is also known as the ‘Rumi of Sindh’. His thoughts and ideas intrigued me and I began to feel that people should also know more about him,” says Afraad, who has previously organised shows, such as Rumi Hai and Rumi meets Kabir. Afraad has also translated Rumi’s work.

Shah Jo Risalo means “message of Shah”, which he says is a message of love based on seven tales. The stories, compiled by Bhittai, have been presented as fables or folk songs across Junagadh Gujarat, Jaisalmer and Punjab.

The performance will include a ‘waee’ which is sung in admiration and depicts the resilient life of female protagonists. Each woman endures hardships and trials. “In current times, people are disconnected from love. Bhittai’s message is to be a lover and seeker, there are more reasons to love than to hate and we shouldn’t let anyone define our description of God and divine,” says Afraad.

One of the legends, Omar- Marvi, revolves around the beautiful Marvi, who lives in Maleer, the heart of the Thar desert. Many noblemen and kings were drawn to Maleer only to get a glimpse of her. Among them was Omar, the ruler of Amarkot, who was enthralled by her beauty and abducted her. What happens next will be revealed at the performance.