From: tariqh@dcs.qmw.ac.uk (Tariq Hamid)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.pakistan
Subject: HEER RANJHA -  The Play
Summary: HEER RANJHA -  The Play
Keywords: HEER RANJHA -  The Play
Date: 22 Nov 92 15:26:13 GMT
Organization: Computer Science Dept, QMW, University of London


HEER RANJHA - The play of the poem of the folk tale.


Last night (Sat. 21 Nov), I went to see the final night of the play HEER RANJHA.
To quote the programme:

 "This production of Heer Ranjha is an attempt to translate(and make accessible)
 for British audiences a story which is very much a part of the living culture 
 for Punjabis in Pakistan and India to this day. The definitive version of this
 story was written, as a poem, by Varis Shah in 1759. Written in Punjabi, in 
 Arabic script, the story has been popularised through recital and song; and, 
 in the modern era, through the medium of film. Two film versions, one each in 
 Pakistan and India, appeared in the 60's, and three have appeared in India in 
 this year alone!"


The play opened with a guy dressed in what looked like a Kabuki outfit, singing
the story in Punjabi (no doubt he was narrating the original text, in the third
person). What I found surprising was that the language he spoke was coherent. He
would continue this narration throughout the play.

We were then introduced to Ranjha (the "hero" of the tale) and his family. 
The switch is now made to English, which is then used throughout the play as
the main language of the actors, although flourishes of Punjabi are also used.
The scene was that of Ranjha being ejected from the family home by his siblings,
after the death of their father. They taunt him, calling him a good for nothing,
and tell him to go forth and prove his worth. And that if he is as worthy as he
says he is, then he should prove that he is worthy of the one they call, Heer 
- daughter of the province's most powerful feudal lord.

Ranjha goes off in search of his Heer. He crosses the river Chenab (one of the
five great rivers of Punjab), in order to reach the town of Jhang (which is
situated on the eastern bank of the Chenab). The ferryman warns him against
sitting on the ferry's splendid couch, since it is the couch of Heer and that it
is dangerous to cross her. Ranjha falls asleep on the couch much to the 
ferryman's astonishment. As the far bank approaches the ferryman sights Heer. 
On arriving at the other bank, Heer in a rage gives the man sleeping on her 
couch a kick to eject him. As her leg thrusts forward, to make the kick, Ranjha 
raises his arms to protect himself, and in so doing grasps her foot. Their eyes
meet and they all in love.

Heer's family, her uncle in particular, try to destroy the love that Heer and
Ranjha have for each other. At the end when it appears as though love has
conquered all Heer is poisoned by her uncle.

It brings into focus the many issues that concern our people - honour, respect,
and "dignity". That the very nature of love threatens our patriarchal society.
That the love between a man and a woman is the greatest threat to parental
control.

The play conveyed passion, bitterness, and lament -  it struck a chord.

				----O----

tariq

--

Tariq Hamid	                 	Internet:  tariqh@dcs.qmw.ac.uk
 Department of Computer Science  	JANET:     tariqh@uk.ac.qmw.dcs
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