LAHORE: The Government College University (GCU) Dramatics Club staged its annual play, an adaptation of Syed Imtiaz Ali Taj’s classic Anarkali.

GCU interim Vice Chancellor Prof Muhammad Ali Shah graced the opening show as the chief guest.

The play was also attended by renowned actor Naeem Tahir, Ali Tahir, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Central Punjab, Prof Khalid Manzoor Butt, and director Haissam Hussain. The production ran from Monday and Friday (today) would be its last day.

Originally penned a century ago by Syed Imtiaz Ali Taj, Anarkali remains a timeless classic in Urdu literature, depicting the legendary love story of Prince Salim and Anarkali. The lead roles were performed by Tamsal Fatima who played Anarkali, Ahmed Mughal as Prince Salim and Ahmed Hussain Cheema as Emperor Akbar.

Naeem Tahir and Ali Tahir lauded the production, praising its meticulous attention to historical details, captivating stage design and compelling performances. They noted that the production highlighted the GCU’s longstanding tradition of promoting literary and theatrical excellence, providing students with a valuable platform to hone their artistic talents.

Prof Shah commended the efforts of Dramatics Club, emphasizing the vital role of theatre in fostering creativity and critical thinking among the students.

Dean Prof Butt also praised the production, stating that the set design was outstanding and the actors delivered remarkable performances.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2025