Partition146;s undivided

The line, at least the emotional one, has blurred. The scars left by the greatest human displacement have started healing, albeit slowly, after six decades.

Lakeerein prods to put the sub-continent8217;s 60-year-old cataclysm behind

The line, at least the emotional one, has blurred. The scars left by the greatest human displacement have started healing, albeit slowly, after six decades. Who can trace this process replete with violence, despair, emotions and hope better than Sampooran Singh Kalra, popularly known as Gulzar.

The writings and poems of this victim of Partition on the sub-continent8217;s tumultuous journey will find voice and expression under Prithvi Theatre8217;s spotlight next week. Lakeerein is Essay Communications8217; fresh attempt to take a look at the common roots that the neighbours-India and Pakistan.

8220;The play strings together Gulzarsaab8217;s writings to show the commonality of issues and emotions,8221; says director Salim Arif. This is Arif8217;s second play as part of the Gulzar trilogy. Kharaashein, which compiled the legendary lyricist8217;s writing on the scars created by communal riots, was the first. The last of the series will bring to stage Gulzar8217;s experiences and impressions of Mumbai. 8220;This will premiere early next year,8221; says the director.

What sets Lakeerein apart from other productions on the Partition8212;a much explored subject in literature and theatre8212;is the urge to move on. 8220;Gulzarsaab remembers his childhood in West Punjab now in Pakistan in a poem. He also talks about one of Sadaat Hasan Manto8217;s greatest characters, Toba Tek Singh, and his dreams revolving around his place of birth. Still, the general mood of the play is to move on,8221; says Arif. Looking beyond the Partition is also what Gulzar, who was involved in the selection of his pieces, believes in.

In keeping with the trend of plays staging good literature, Essay Communications, a forum for theatre and other allied arts, has organised Ghalibnaama, a concert of the letters and poems of Mirza Ghalib, in the past. Peele Patton Ka Ban, a collection of three monologues, Javed Siddiqi8217;s Aapki Soniya and Kachche Lamhe, based on Gulzar8217;s story, have also come out of their stable.

The pieces in Lakeerein will be performed by a cast of 15, including well-known names like Yashpal Sharma, Anoop Soni and Lubna Salim. The set remains minimalist as words and histrionics take over. Music, however, will be providing breaks from the text in this 85-minute-long show. The group has roped in Ghazal singer Seema Sehgal Singh to compose as well as render some of Gulzar8217;s poems.