Dukh Darya

The Bond of Sorrow It is said”truth is stranger than fiction”. Truth can also be more dramatic, more meaningful. But when, what is story, I instantly realized that it was more than a story of one woman’s suffering and her struggle for justice.

A Kashmiri woman taunted and tormented for being infertile, is driven to jump into the river diving the two part of the disputed territory of Kashmir. However she ends up on the other side of the border, is arrested, interrogated and eventually raped. She gets pregnant, a proof of the horror of rape in custody but also belying the allegations of infertility. She gives birth to a beautiful baby daughter, Mobeen, who is brought up in Jammu jail until Shehnaz is released and arrangements are made for her repatriation. However, another shock is awaiting her. According to the laws governing the two countries, she, as a Pakistani Kashmiri, can return to Pakistan but governments haggle over rules regarding the citizenship and identify of the hapless mother and daughter.

Naturally, Shehnaz’s ordeal attracted the attention of women rights and peace activities and her case became a rallying point for those who wanted expose the absurdity of religious, political and gender divides and the suffering and sorrow they cause.

The Shehnaz story stayed with me for a couple of years. It took me to Jammu where I met Shehnaz’s lawyer Sawhney and the Jammu based writer, Khalid Husain. Rao Abid Hameed of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, who played a vital role in enabling Shehnaz to come to Pakistan with Mobeen, was also very helpful.

“Dukh Darya” is more than a dramatic presentation of Shehnaz’s story. I have tried to link it with the suffering of women during Partition, especially those forcibly repatriated, leaving their children behind. In fact, I have gone further back in history and mythology, in search of the source of the river of sorrow.

“Dukh Darya” premiers on 8th March., the International Women’s Day which is no coincidence. Ajoka has been deeply committed to the cause of women’s rights and since its inception, has marked the occasion by presenting thematic plays. “Dukh Darya” highlights some vital issues relating to women’s rights. The stigma associated with “infertility”, the horror of rape in custody and the question of the right of a mother to be with her young children. There is broader question in the background: “Where do the Kashmiri women stand in the diplomatic games being played by India and Pakistan with the male Kashmiri leadership sitting on the sidelines!”

Cast
Meera Mai----------------------------Uzra Butt
Kausar---------------------------------Rajundar Rozy
Jogi Mukhtar Nath-------------------Sarfraz Ansari
Munni----------------------------------Malika Singh
Investigation officer-----------------Farhan Malik
Rab Nawaz----------------------------Furqan Majeed
Jeeto-----------------------------------Razia Malik
Police officer-------------------------Faizi
Hawaldar Iqbal Singh---------------Iqbal Naqvi
Border Security-----------------------Yaqoob Masih and Amir
Saeen Aar -----------------------------Faizi
Chorus----------------------------------Wasim Looka, Nadeem Abbas, Yaqoob, Sumaira
Siddiqui, Ovais Coolie----------------------------------Nadeem Abbas, Wasim
Dancer ---------------------------------Sumaira Siddiqui


Credits
Written By-------------------------Shahid Nadeem
Directed By------------------------Madeeha Gauhar
Asst Director----------------------Farhan Malik
Light Designed By---------------M. Aslam
Set Designed By------------------M. Aslam
Sound------------------------------Nadeem Mir
Stage Manager-------------------Furqan Majeed
Choreography--------------------Nadeem Abbas
Light Assistant ------------------Qalb-E-Hussain and Muzamil