Dubai: Following a successful run at its home base in Dubai, Mian, Biwi aur Wagah, an Urdu play, based on the lost tradition of letter-writing, is starting its international tour with New Delhi as its first destination.
The Stein Auditorium, India Habitat Centre (IHC), New Delhi, will host three shows of the play — on January 27 at 7pm and two shows on January 28 at 4pm and 7.30pm, according to organisers.
Habitat World, which is hosting the show in New Delhi, says it welcomes the arrival of a Dubai theatre group in India. “We are delighted to welcome the group from Dubai.It is heartening to note that an original Urdu Production from UAE enjoyed such rousing reception and critical acclaim back home. We wish them success in their first ever performance in Delhi, “ said Renu Oberoi, Head of Programmes, Habitat World, India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
Mian, Biwi aur Wagah is based on a series of letters, narrating a mixed bag of events and slice-of-life stories. These letters encapsulate human experiences and frailties and are a menagerie of tales wrapped in nostalgic exchanges. The duration of the play is 120-minute with an interval included.
The play has been written and produced in Dubai and is seeking to revive the spirit and tradition of letter-writing that is rapidly disappearing under the onslaught of communication technology.
Mian and Biwi are the South Asian husband-wife duo, while Wagah — a border crossing between India and Pakistan — takes a human form to become the narrator and a central viewpoint in the play. Just like a sutradhaar (thread-holder), Wagah symbolically dovetails through the cascade of letters.
All letters staged are originally written and inspired by true stories and experiences that remain rooted in history and are yet contemporary in nature. The play is presented in a refreshing light-hearted, jocular, at times poignant and thought-provoking manner.
Dream run
With five full house shows at the city’s home-grown performing arts venue, The Junction, Mian, Biwi aur Wagah was Dubai’s most popular original Urdu play of 2017.
Dhruti Shah D’souza, director of the play said the play has the potential to appeal to avid Urdu-language enthusiasts and frequent theatre aficionados as well as those who enjoy a good wave of storytelling, in a rather simple and easy-going format with Urdu at its forefront.
Letters and stories
Mian, Biwi aur Wagah beckons a memorable homecoming experience for the lovers of Urdu theatre and the lost tradition of letter-writing. Ehtesham Shahid, co-writer of the play who also plays Mian (husband) says, in the days of telegraphic communication, this virtue can seem hopelessly outdated. The play is co-directed by Sheherzad Kaleem, an award-winning producer and director.
