BEACON of HOPE

I am here in Lyari now enjoying my afterrnoon listening to Baluchi music sung by a young man while five men and one woman dancing centre stage quite cheerfully to the lyrical tune. This joyful sight is uncommon in the majority of the country today, especially during the month of Ramadan and in Lyari out of all places. Lyari, home to a vibrant and diverse Sindhi and Baluchi community has been on the news limelight for all the wrong reasons - heavily guarded by paramilitary forces this area has been plagued with communal violence and catastrophic armed rivalry.

And here we sit in the community hall breaking many norms and challenging many taboos. Though only a handful of women are sitting as spectators that too veiled in black from top to bottom, from their eyes only I could feel the element of liberation when some jubilantly responded to the satire presented by Tehreek e Niswan, though only for a temporary moment.

I have come here with Sheema ji and her theatre activists who have taken upon themselves a tough task to go to conflict stricken communities and convey their message of peace using the wonderful medium of street theatre. Today they staged the play titled "yeh basti meri basti hai" - "this community is my community". Not much needs to be told about the act since all of us are profoundly aware about the bizarre law and order and anarchic situation prevailing in the streets of Karachi leaving many residents in fear and anguish. In brief, the play is an attempt to bring to light the issues of our communities through a satirical lens than in a rhetorical or a breaking news manner. From bribery to eve teasing; to indiscriminate firing; to domestic violence against women, forcing them to do purdah while men from the same house fulfil their lust by shamelessly flirting with women and casting allegations on the dishonor not properly dressed women bring to societies; to casting abhorrent fatwas in the name of religion. All these issues were artistically highlighted and the audience very well responded, especially by giving a round applause after the religious bigotry scene.

The act was followed by a brief discussion where spectators shared their views ... Many among them openly advocated for peaceful means to end this escalating violence and accepted that such indiscrimate and intolerant behavior does exist. One bearded man himself recounted the fatwas scene and asserted that such events have increased over the years. Some women also came centre stage and spoke about their ill experiences when being teased by men from the community and how they felt highly subjugated at times.

Sheema ji also had a brief conversation with a few girls asking them about their views on burka / veil. They said that their mother's do not wear but they are asked to by male family members.

Lots more to learn and share along these lines but I feel this short experience is an insight into how intolerance has been preached and hypocrisy has furthered... Also it shows the magnitude at which the problem lies and the great amount of effort required to confront these underlying issues.

Street theat is certainly one of the best ways to incite discussion among spectators and create awareness - yet much more needs to be done !!!

Hoping for the best ...

Ajay