LAHORE: Friends and admirers of Punjabi playwright and political activist Akbar Pasha on Saturday paid tribute to him for his contribution to literature and the cause of the language at an evening at the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture (Pilac).

Akbar Pasha, who was affectionately called Pashi, was the founder of theater group Punjab Lok Rahs. The evening was organised by his friends and veterans of Punjab Lok Rahs and Punjab Lok Sujag.

Pasha began doing street theatre in the Punjabi language in 1983 with Punjab Lok Rahs. He was of the view that people’s theatre should be performed in their own language. He was influenced by Safdar Hashmi’s progressive theatre group.

The evening not only had short speeches about Pasha but it was also dotted with short theatrical performances, skits and performances on instruments.

Intellectual Maqsood Saqib said Pasha left no stone unturned in the promotion of the Punjabi language. He united labourers and did his best for the oppressed and the downtrodden. He said Punjabi was related with political question and it wasn’t entertained the way it should have been. He threw light on the life and works of Akbar Pasha.

Huma Safdar and Nisar Mohyuddin staged a skit from Neray Da Pand, a play written by Akbar Pasha. It was the first play staged by Lok Rahs. The skit featured the socio-political scene of early 80s -- a time when students unions were banned.

Safdar said Akbar Pasha was a truthful soul and his commitment to his cause was amazing. “I am happy that we are remembering him today by reading excerpts from this play,” she said. She said Neray Da Pand was her first play and Pasha asked her to direct the play though she was quite junior at that time.

Muhammad Tanveer, another close friend of Pasha, said he joined Lok Rahs in 1997. His main impetus was poetry which he used to share with Pasha. “We learnt a lot from Pasha who was a dedicated and devoted person.”

There was also a flute performance by two sisters Mahnoor and Mahrukh who enthralled the audience by playing Raag Aimen. The audience appreciated their performance with a round of applause.

Publisher Amir Riaz also spoke recalling the days when Pasha was on the forefront on writing bold plays and raising voice against despotism. Riaz said it was Zia’s period when the play was written. He said Pashi would talk about progressive writers and Punjabi. He was a brave and bold fellow.

Another friend of Pasha, Shami Baloch, recalled the time spent in his company.

The event also offered few more skits featuring the very thoughts and ideas of Akbar Pasha.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2022