ISLAMABAD: The week-long Youth Drama Festival 2017 concluded on Tuesday.

Two stage dramas were presented on the last day of the festival, which was aimed at encouraging the younger generation to come forward and share their thoughts, fears, dreams and struggles via plays.

An hour-long play titled ‘Ao Khudkushi Karein’ was presented by Funkar Theatre which is an all girls group and had come second in last year’s festival. The play challenged patriarchy and highlighted women’s rights.

“It is considered taboo for girls to fall in love and marry the man of their choice,” said the director of the play, Sarah Noor. In the play, five couples from folk stories including Sohni Mahiwaal, Heer Ranjha and Yousaf Khan and Sheherbano try to convince and talk a girl out of committing suicide.

Shumaila Naz, who played Sohni, said the play dealt with a serious subject and imparted an important message via dark humour. Member of the audience, Haseeba Junaid said she was amazed by how talented the actors were and that the message meant for parents had struck home.

The second play staged on the last day was by Comstats students and criticised the media for bombarding and brainwashing viewers with messages that only make them money.

“The real issues and the problems of the common man are not discussed and the media’s priority is to make money,” said one of the lead actors.

Some members of the audience were thoroughly entertained by the comic and grim undertone of the play.

A member of the audience who is a regular at the festival, Mujahid Ali said both of Tuesday’s performances were better than the rest and Mehwish Khan said the actors had put on an “impressive” show.

However, another audience member, Sumayya Safa said the content was deficient in quality though her friend said the content was decent as the students had only been given a week to write and direct the plays.

A member of the jury, Shoaib Khaliq said: “With the right guidance, these young actors can breathe life into the dying art of acting for theatre. Theatre should be taken from its current patrons and given to the younger generation.”

Pakistan National Council of Arts Director General Jamal Shah said he was impressed with the presentations and that the PNCA will continue supporting aspiring artists.

The three-member jury will decide the winners of the drama festival on Wednesday.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2017