Subh-i-Nau is a story of a family who suffers due to sheer helpless. But in the midst of their anguish they also discover that one must never give up hope. The theatre play is based on the true story of a professional runner who represented Pakistan internationally by winning many races, and through courage and perseverance fights the odds when it comes to his personal health. Shown in the open-air theatre of the Karachi Arts Council, the theme of the play revolved round kidney diseases, dialysis and transplantation, as chronic renal failure is increasing in the country at an alarming rate.
Saleem’s family comprising a grandfather, mother, sister and a loyal servant is waiting eagerly for his return after having won an international race event. The athlete had suffered kidney failure previously and was donated a kidney by his friend Sarfaraz who insisted on his training day and night after recovery. Once celebrations are over, Saleem settles down but then falls ill. The family is worried but his doctor reassures them he will be fine as he can be sent to a very good hospital that deals with kidney ailments. He tells them that kidney problems occur by not drinking enough water, high blood pressure, too much salt intake and little exercise.
The doctor asks his fiancé Shazia to donate one of her kidneys as it is a match. She point-blankly refuses upon which Saleem says he doesn’t want pity and would prefer to die instead. During dialysis, he undergoes a lot of pain and at this point the grandfather appeals to the audience to donate kidneys to patients suffering from renal failure.
Enters a stranger says he would give Saleem one of his kidneys in return for a handsome sum to pay for his daughter’s marriage to his nephew who wants a new motorcycle in dowry. Although Sarfaraz agrees, Saleem stops him. After a few days the doctor comes in and announces that a donor has been found. Recovering from the transplant operation, Saleem begins practicing for another international race. He also agrees to get married to honour his mother’s wish. On the day of his wedding the doctor reveals that it was his coach who had donated one of his kidneys.
It is through dialogue and gradual progression of the play that audiences become painfully aware of an illness that should never be taken lightly. To bring in lighter moments into a serious topic, there was humour interspersed as wells. The play was directed by Adam Rahtor and written by H. Iqbal—Saleem’s grandfather—who researched the facts on kidney failure at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). The cast featured Saleem Afridi, Rauf Alam, Shahida Murtaza, Asghar Mandviwala, H. Iqbal, Durre Shahwar, Zarish, Zaib, Imran Hussain, Kashif Khan Jr. and Hussain Sachwani.
The Medical and Social Welfare Committee of the Arts Council Karachi in collaboration with the Pakistan Medical Association and a pharmaceutical company effectively conveyed the message through visual arts. After all, the best way to highlight such an important health issue is to convey it through the popular form of drama.