Meher Nigar’s Impressions

I have always loved books, movies, restaurants, stage plays, concerts, dance performances, art exhibitions, book fairs, museums and other cultural activities like that. Its such a fascinating world of expression, creativity and learning. But, study or job woes have always kept me back from educating myself thoroughly in such matters.

Tonight, I had the opportunity of watching a stage play, “Bombay Dreams” in the Lahore AlHamra along with my sisters. The play was directed by the hard working and impressive achiever of a director, Mr. Shah Sharabeel.

I have also had the pleasure of watching his hilarious comedy, “You Only Marry Twice”, the last time his team came to Lahore. I think my sister and I laughed the loudest with irrepressible peals of laughter. I did come back thinking why people did not laugh when they came out to enjoy a comedy. I have heard good things about his other directions of “Moulin Rouge” and also “Phantom of the Opera”.

“Bombay Dreams” is a story set in the heart of Mumbai and tells the tales of the slums to the glamorous and treacherous world of Show Biz in Bollywood. A crew of 70 or so youngsters  who had worked very very hard at language, body language, dancing and even singing. A kaleidoscope of color, music and eunuch jokes.

The play started off on a very strong foot but as it moved on a little, my heart sagged with the settling thought that this was just going to be more of Indian meaninglessness coming at us through cables in our homes all the time. Although, I badly needed some shallow entertainment or a good meaningless laugh to lessen the burden of daily existence, but somehow, the mere thought of all material and no substance had me detached within minutes from the stage and the audience.

The play picked up though and I came to appreciate the show thoroughly as I experienced the effort of these kids in a bombastic musical. The tall slim eunuch among the trio was very mesmerizing in his performance. The most touching scene of all for me was not when the innocent Romeo and Juliet die but when the eunuch is murdered by the Bollywood villain. The  dying Khussra cries to his friend that he had never had any choices in his life. He had not chosen to be so and was glad that atleast his story was ending.

Very nice sets and very good costumes. The hero’s mother’s and the heroine’s clarity of voice on the stage was very appealing. One of the performing couples and the choreographer depicted in the play were very good dancers. I was, however, unimpressed by the hero and his husky voice and over acting in tragic scenes. Its my opinion, but I felt that the character could have been made more endearing by someone else.

All in all, the play made for very good entertaining viewing but if you are looking for answers to some serious intellectual puzzles in the cosmos, you are at the wrong play.

I don’t know why the organizers had given out more passes than seats in the theatre. The hall was packed and youngsters had to be moved to accommodate the elders which really should’nt have been so.

There was also an announcement on funding being provided by sponsors for a dedicated theater place, where youngsters will be encouraged to write, act and direct plays. Good Luck to them all.

This group is publishing information on some interesting events http://lahore.danka.com.pk/

I would love you to share any entertaining experience that can be a good idea for personal, family, kids entertainment. With hectic schedules and pressuresome routines for ourselves and our children, its critically important to have such memorable outings to keep our sanities in balance. Thanks to my father, my childhood was rich with such events from flower exhibitions to trips to the Lahore Fort. 

So, if you want to share a book, movie, outing place, picnic, movie or vacation idea that you know of or enjoyed, go right ahead and let us know. Even if we cannot relive your experience first hand, we would like to see it through your eyes.