"MARYA HOYA KUTTA"

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November - 1987 (Lahore)


Written by: Shahid Nadeem
Directed by: Madeeha Gauhar

Shahid Nadeem’s first play written and performed in 1971. ajoka first performed it in November 1987 in Goethe Institute, Lahore. A dead dog is found lying in the middle of the road in the morning causing inconvenience in the neighborhood for the people who are not prepared to dispose it. They carry on with their petty squabbles and routine activities hopping that some one carries it away. At night they all go to sleep but are woken up by an unbearable stench. They discover the body of the dead dog has mysteriously disappeared but not the stench. There is total disarray and everyone starts accusing the other of being the source of the stench. Ultimately the local mullah distributes the incense stick so that the people can protect their noses but the source of the stench remains.

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Review: “Marya Hoya Kutta” is about the life and problems of the people of an inner city neighborhood. The play poses a challenge to its audience to break the spell of inactivity and self-interest. (Dawn, November 25, 1987)