She, who could be an epitome of women liberation becomes a symbol of tyranny... Capt Ahmed

A woman is weak..., says who?

A woman can be suppressed..., claims who?

A woman can be imprisoned...., by who?

"Birjees Qadar ka Kunba" the powerfully scripted play has all shades of woman explored on one stage. 

Birjees is not allowed a single moment to grieve after the demise of her husband as she slips into the shoes of her husband. Birjees becomes the man of the house as she has five grown up daughters (few over over grown ups) to take care.

Birjees who had married for the second time after the death of her first husband, had 4 more daughters from the second marriage. She, who could be an epitome of women liberation, becomes a symbol of a tyranny. Being a woman herself, she suppresses the needs of a woman with bitterness. SHEELA GANGIMALLA played Birjees, good attempt but the character need not be shouting always to show the sternness.

the opening scenes set the stage for a great performance

The five daughters live in dream worlds. But then they also look up for real guys in their life and if need be, fight for the same guy. Athar is the selected groom for Fahmida, the eldest daughter but Mushtari, the second daughter also likes him whereas Athar likes the youngest i.e., Aadila. And then there is a war of jealousy that brews up; it makes Mushtari complain about Adila & Athar to Birjees. Fearing that Athar is supposedly killed by Birjees, Adila commits suicide as she was pregnant. 

Besides bit pronunciation & diction problems, the girls did a decent job.  ASMITA KASTHA  as Mushtari stood out. The controlled & subtle expressions of envy & sarcasm were well delivered. But who ruled the roost was NASREEN ISHAQUE as Hasan Baandi. She was not acting on stage; she was living it. How the maids in old days became part & parcel of the family, was well depicted. Hasan baandi was the care taker of not just home but also of 'ghar ki izaat'. She took care of Birjees but also fought with her on few issues. She tries her level best to guide the daughters in right way despite being ridiculed by them. 

As a debut performance SEEMA KAUR needs a  special mention who played 'Nani'. Nani depicted the desires a woman withholds within herself, because of social angst. As she is suffering from dementia she speaks her heart out. A lady at that age may want to get married, may need to be loved..., very well conveyed.  Devika, Pooja, Aditi, Anjum, Parul, Ismeet also did there bit in taking the play ahead in the roles given to them

Other than strong performances what needs a special mention is the set design by NOUSHAD MOHAMMED. Every inch of the stage including the gaps behind main stage was so beautifully converted into the interiors of a haveli. Amazing job. Looking out for the next venue and the magic of set design again. 

SANDEEP SAHU did an amazing job with the background scores and sound. The sound effects of birds, street and especially the arrival of the labours during "fasal kataai" (harvest time) was added to the magic. The actors on stage should have waited for the sounds to mellow down before rendering their dialog as the background score muted their voices.

One of the most natural presentation of Birjees...,household

As a director, Nasreen should keep in mind that all scene look natural. Birjees hitting the ground instead of Aadila with her stick was funny. Also she fired a gun shot at Athar but she held the rifle with the barrel which would have been terribly hot after a fire. Minor glitches but can be overlooked. Few scenes were choreographed very well and are worth mentioning like, sisters doing embroidery on a bed cover and doing all the girly talk without stopping their works. The hair wash scene was also executed very well. Hasan Bandi using the 'soop' and later collecting every grain that fell down on stage. Utilization of every inch of the stage became most effective in the death scene of Aadila. 

...and with her death Birjees announces, "meri beti kunwari mari" (My daughter died as a virgin), came the stigma attached to the false pride that makes a girl or a woman observe celibacy till the time she is married. Sigh!

Being the first production of Nibha theatre Ensemble, #Birjees Qadar ka Kunba was a respectable beginning. They did full justice to the brilliant script translated by Raghubir Sahay and this was a heart rendering homage to "The House of Bernarda Alba" originally written by #Federico García Lorca in 1936. 

The expectations have gone up and we are already looking forward to the gems that will be coming out of this talent-house. 

All in all this deserves a big round of applause

Something about the reviewer: #Capt Ahmed is a branding professional. He is actively involved in Theater & Films as an actor. Poetry & street plays, come naturally to him.