In the play, Jungle Jungle Zindabad, Tehrik-e-Niswan has truly set forth a wonderful act with the use of music and dance, promoting story-telling the way it was done historically during the Mughal age. The Arts Council theatre was swarming with children of all ages when I went to watch the play.

The story of the play, Jungle Jungle Zindabad, takes place in a jungle where animals, with a colourful sense of humour, roam freely in a homely environment. But a politician, a human, plans to cut down the forest thus putting the lives of the animals in danger. This may lead to environmental hazards and the extinction of animals.

In my opinion, the real moral to the story is the famous verse by Gandhi, “Man, when perfected, is the best of all animals, but when separated by law and justice, he is the worst of all.''

The play is based on Vikram Seth's The Elephant and the Tragopan. It is translated by writer and poet Fehmida Riaz and this particular production is directed by Sheema Kermani. The characters playing the animals were Imran Khan, Huma Naz, Imran Bhatti, Uzma Mazhar, Harris Khan, Zeshan Ansari, Zeenat Bayat, Sehrish Bhatti, Mehmood Bhatti, Sheema Kermani and the well-played Mohsin Khan.

It ultimately gives the viewers a sense of freedom and dignity when the animals fight back to save their home - the jungle. The message was delivered splendidly and the organisers of the play received a positive response. The music, played by Daniel Wilayat, Zulfiqar Ali and Sudhir, took the audience into the world of animals itself, cherishing every minute of it.

Lastly, the wonderful display of lights added spark to the performance. All in all, it was an excellent show.

— Nida Zehra