Play set in Partition times drives home message of humanity

Amid the raging debate over growing intolerance in the country, an acclaimed play set in the backdrop of Partition is being used by its producers to drive home the message that humanity is above religion.
"Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya", written by noted scholar and playwright Asghar Wajahat and directed by Satish Mehta, is based on the story of an old Hindu woman who chooses to stay back in Lahore after Partition.
The play was staged at the Bharat Bhawan here last evening. Notably, all the characters of Muslims, except that of the old Hindu woman, were essayed by Hindus.
"The play was successful in giving message to the people that though Partition led to creation of Pakistan, humanity ultimately prevailed over religion to give a strong message to the people that all these talks of intolerance are hollow," says Anurag Shrivastava, who essays the role of poet Nasir in the play.

"I don't see any intolerance in the country," he told PTI.
Mehta says they decided to stage this play to show the country's core strengths to give the right perspective to the people in view of the prevailing atmosphere of tolerance and intolerance.

"We also tried to show what Islam stands for, it is against discrimination, what is its real definition and how it spreads the message of love and respect," he adds.
"Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya" tells the story of Partition in which a Lucknow-based Muslim family goes to Lahore after the division and is allotted a 'haveli' of a Hindu family (Ratan) there.

There they find an old lady (Ratan's mother) left behind by her family members in their rush to go to the country of their choice.
All efforts of the family to persuade the old woman to go back to India go in vain.
And in the meantime, Mirza's wife and daughter develop a soft corner for her and despite opposition from radical elements, the family stands firm on their ground and allows the old lady to remain with them till she passes away.