Karachiites welcomed street musical drama after Partition and the Gujrati musical drama party was sought for most family functions. With a large dari spread on the roadside or lanes, they would start their performance which lasted from midnight to early morning.
During 1960 to 1977, the Chand Tara party gained fame throughout Karachi’s old city area. Later, it divided into three groups to meet public demand and inducted new talent. Some of them later produced famous Memon and Gujrati commercial plays at Karachi’s Ibrahim Alibhai and other auditoriums. They performed famous short-dramas like Rupali Kanya, Anguthi Ka Bhoot, Darpok Bhayda, Udharya Malwari, etc. Later, they also adopted Hindi-style Urdu in their dialogues.
In the ’60s, Ramesh Party was famous for songs and dances. It was a family affair as the performers were all from one family — the fathers and uncles were musicians and tabla players, and sons and daughters were singers and dancers. Later, the Ramesh girls also worked in a few home-made Memoni-Gujrati movies. After a dozen or so flops, the producers packed up business.
The Parsi community has also contributed to the promotion of Gujrati language and culture. In their religious and social functions, they organize dramas and song performances. However, all such activities are usually organized for their community. — M.F. Memon n
Karachiites welcomed street musical drama after Partition and the Gujrati musical drama party was sought for most family functions. With a large dari spread on the roadside or lanes, they would start their performance which lasted from midnight to early morning.
