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August 14, 2003
Empty stages
Once a popular form of entertainment, the Sindhi stage drama has lost some of its brightest stars who are hanging up their acting gowns for religious reasons, reports Shahid Shah
The rich Sindhi culture has its roots in poetry, literature and drama. The young Sindhi generation greatly admires the works of Sufi saints and poets, Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai, Sachal Sarmast of Daraza and others for their vision and wisdom. A few years ago the districts of upper Sindh — Ghotki, Jackobabad, Shikarpur and Larkana — had become the center of cultural activities especially stage dramas. At least one stage program was held every month in each district.
However, for the last two years there has hardly been any festival including a stage drama. The Sindhi stage drama is declining rapidly like Sindhi film industry. Many ex-artists have started preaching Islam. Moreover, they have changed their names towards the revolutionary means.
One-and-a-half year ago even I could not recognize one of my best friends from high school and college. He had grown a beard and was resembled a member of the Taliban. Though he could not give a reason for this change, he said, “people look towards us with respect and I am enjoying this lifestyle.” He was of the view that one should live a life according to the religious teachings.
The most stylish stage actor of yesteryear, Abdul Ghaffar Bhutto of Qadirpur, has had more than five ‘chillas’ with religious preaching teams towards the other provinces. He had given up reciting the poems, of which at one time, he was famous for. In a short span of time, numerous stage artistes have dropped their love for drama and turned towards an extremist form of religion.
“Once they were prominent stage artists of upper Sindh but now with this change, they are creating hurdles in cultural activities. Whenever a stage drama is announced, they come with sticks and threaten the artistes,” says Ather Illahi, a stage compere.
“The most famous stage actor Bashir Bhutto, well known for his portrayal of villains, wadera and even a leading man, has not only change his nick name from Begano (lonely) to Inqlabi (revolutionary) but he has also become a active worker of a extremist religious organization.”
“There are a number of reasons in the decline of stage dramas,” says Riaz Hussain, a local journalist. “The resurgence of religion has increased and they blame the stage artistes of breaking the Islamic law. The price hike and unemployment are also factors apart from lawlessness in the upper part of the province that have played a role in the decline. Stage artistes tried to move towards TV and cinema, but when they did not receive a positive response, they changed the direction of their lives.”
The famous trailer master of Ghotki, Ghulam Mustafa Soomro is one of the most well known state artistes of upper Sindh. He was successful not only in the stage dramas, but was also able to find success in cinema. “Stage dramas and film couldn’t cater to my children’s needs, so I changed my profession,” he says.
Fakhur Jillani, an actor, director, and stage drama writer has a similar story. Due to family and financial pressures, he left the stage world and opened a little video shop in town.
“A large number of other artistes have also moved towards other professions because they have been threatened by religious groups of dire consequences if any stage drama is held,” says Hussain.
Although various factors have played a role in the decline of stage dramas in the province, no measure has been taken by the cultural department to help the stage drama as well as artistes. “The culture department has closed its eyes on what is happening with the stage artistes, some of whom were even beaten up by the religious extremists,” comments an artiste. “And no one dare stop their brutality.”
When this scribe inquired of Sindh Minister for Culture, Shabbir Ahmed Qaimkhani, he was totally unaware about the fate of the Sindhi stage drama. “After I get the facts, I am going to take necessary measures,” he said.
Many people believe that before Partition, culture was heavily promoted; regular classes of music and dance were held in the schools with other academic subjects. That no longer seems to be the case today. Dadi Lilan, a famous educationist of Hyderabad, recalls the days of yore: “There was one musical class in the week which attracted more students than any academic subject did. This not only promoted culture but the inner spirit of the students was increased and they performed even better in other subjects.”
“We don’t enforce any body to come and preach for the religion and go for ‘chilla’, this sense for virtue is feed by the almighty Allah by himself and a large number of peoples is coming back to right path.” Says a preacher.
The lack of cultural and entertainment activities have led to various social problems. Activities like gambling are increasing in the Ghotki district especially in the villages where there is hardly any playgrounds, cinemas or public parks. “These stage dramas didn’t just serve the purpose of entertaining,” says Zahid Hussain Shah, a local social activist, “they were also reforming minds. The people, who never dared face the feudal, spoke out against them in the drams. However, with their decline, robberies, gambling, card games have increased because there is no outlet. Some boys had tried to promote the drama, but they were not given any assistance, nor did they have any proper source of income.”
A. G. Chandio, a local journalist of Hyderabad had tried to revive the street theatre in the city a few years ago and had had some success. However, due to financial reasons, he was unable to continue.
The silent majority, likewise, is silent, no one steps forward to speak about the revival of stage drama. “When these stage dramas and variety shows were being held, we used to enjoy them,” said a shopkeeper. “Now there is no such activity where we find place for entertainment.”
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