The life of transgender persons is pitiful in a society that doesn’t accept them as normal human beings. This was the theme of a play, Teesri Dhun (The Third Tune), by Olomopolo Media presented at Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall on Friday night.

Directed by Clarie Pamment and Iram Sana and produced by the talented granddaughter of Sultan Khoosat, Kanwal Khoosat, Teesri Dhun, a documentary theatre on transgender persons’ struggles in Pakistan,was the outcome of Dr Shehnaz Khan and Dr Pamment’s research on the life, struggles and culture of transgender persons.

The actors were transpersons themselves and performed almost on a par with experienced actors. Several personalities from the world of showbiz were in the audience, including actor Ghulam Muhayyudin, classical dancer Nighat Chaudhry, producer Chaudhry Kamran, actor Rashid Mehmood as well as a large number of youths from various theatre groups. The audience gave the play a standing ovation at the end.

Teesri Dhun also made good use of classic Punjabi songs during the performance such as Noor Jehan’s ‘Sun Way Balori Akh Walya’.

The play was built upon testimonial narratives by the transgender cast and their performance modes to unravel the strategies of survival they deploy every day. The performances provided a means of expression, identity and cultural acceptance for the community. Teesri Dhun celebrated the power of performance to negotiate spaces beyond gender binaries.

This two-day second running of the play was funded by the Danish Centre for Culture and Media (CKU). The play stars Naghma Gogi, Neeli Rana, Jannat Ali, Anaya Malik, Lucky Roy and Sunny Khan. In this devised documentary theatre, six transpersons shared their experiences – and those from the community. Powerful performances, integrating music, dance and storytelling, unfold narratives of history, separation, love desire, celebration and loss as the characters struggle to find a third space in a polarised gendered society.

The play drew on interviews with the wider community, archival research on transpersons’ history and criminalisation, and contemporary media trials.

Recently, a fashion show unveiling the 2016-17 winter collection of Cynosure was held at the brand’s store at Mini Market, Gulberg 2 and attended by personalities from both fashion and film worlds.

Singer Waris Baig and former actress Anjuman were among the many celebrities present at the fashion show. The ambiance was pleasant with flowers adorning the ramp and the store sparkling with colorful illuminations. There was a screen installed showing the latest collections and the show on the ramp. Music spiced up the show with both Western and local beats.

The models who took to the ramp included Mehreen Syed, Alizeh Gabol, Cybil, Dania, Xille and others. The show was choreographed by Babloo. Even though the venue looked pretty but the part where the ramp had been imstalled did not leave enough space.

Most of the models also carried musical instruments and other props to add drama to the show such as miniature guitars and cameras.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2016