Depicting women power

Darpan Theatre and Department of Language and Culture, government of Telangana, presents 'Chauthi Ka Joda', an Urdu play by Ismat Chughtai!

An Urdu play of Ismat Chughtai, 'Chauthi ka joda' was recently staged at Ravindra Bharathi.

Capt SN Ahmed enacted the role of Manto and Seema Khan played the role of Ismat, in the play by Ismat Chughtai.

The play was written by Suhas Bhatnagar and directed by Ali Ahmed.

The tragic story, 'Chauthi ka Joda', critics the hypocrisy of the superstitions and customs maintained by society.

It revolves around a widow, Bi amma, who lives in near-penury with her two young daughters, Kubra and Hamidah.

The story focuses on Bi amma's obsession to get Kubra married off as soon as possible, and the terrible outcome of Bi amma's urgent and desperate attempts to get her married.

Bi amma's obsession for marrying off Kubra is in full light when her brother's son, Rahat finally comes to live with them.

The artist Capt Ahmed has been doing Manto since the first play of 'Manto ke Afsaaney' and this year too he nailed his character of Manto.

He showcased how Manto would have been when he was not sulking or drinking to avoid situations.

Seema Khan as Ismat complemented Capt Ahmed and the chemistry was well received by the audience.

The show celebrated the writer Ismat Chughtai, who is an epitome of women empowerment in literary writing, the grand doyenne of Urdu fiction and the woman icon who fought for the Freedom of Speech.

Chughtai is considered as, one of the four pillars of modern Urdu short story.

Also, she remained an important literary voice almost until her last days.

Her work fits into no pre-conceived.

Her bold protagonists stood out from the ordinary, her outspoken approach jolted regressive minds, her rebellious themes raised many eyebrows and all of her writings reflected these complexities in lengths.

Chughtai established herself as a significant woman literary voice in 20th century and was awarded with the Padma Shri in 1976.