India was partitioned in 1947, and Pakistan was carved out of it for the Muslim population of India. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims had to migrate to the areas that formed Pakistan, and almost an equal number of non-Muslims (mostly Hindus and Sikhs) had to migrate from newly established Pakistan to India. Dagh Dagh Ujala is a play based on true stories of survivors of Partition. It is an attempt to recount the experiences of common men, women, and children who suffered immensely.
The title of the play ‘Dagh Dagh Ujala’ is taken from a poem by famous Urdu poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz. The script was written by all the cast members with contributions from the producer and director of the play. Thus 13 people can take credit for the script.
It was directed by David Studwell, who, along with Producer Kathleen Mulligan, arrived from New York to help Theatre Wallay make it happen. It was an interesting experience for all – producer, director, and the team – as the two Americans did not understand Urdu.
A documentary has also been shot to capture the process of this play. That is in post-production stage now. It would take quite some time before we are able to launch it.
For more information on the play, please see the links given at the bottom of this page.
Credits
Director David Studwell
Co-Producer and Vocal Coach Kathleen Mulligan
Co-Producer and Artistic Director Fizza Hasan
Research and Creative Coordinator Ammar Khalid
Research and Creative Coordinator Salman Haider
Research and Creative Coordinator Safeer U. Khan
The Acting Company:
Rabia Ajaib, Hiba Ali, Salman Haider, Fizza Hasan, Kazim Hussain, Ammar Khalid, Ikram Khan, Safeer Khan, Usman Khan, Hishaam Muzaffar, Rabia Pasha
Playwrights:
Rabia Ajaib, Hiba Ali, Salman Haider, Fizza Hasan, Sarah Morrisette, Kazim Hussain, Ammar Khalid, Ikram Khan, Safeer Khan, Usman Khan, Hishaam Muzaffar, Kathleen Mulligan, Rabia Pasha, David Studwell, (the two students from workshops)
Stage Manager Dua Absar
Costumes Mehreen Mughal,Hira Muzaffar, Rifaqat
Set Kazim Hussain, Iqbal Gasper, Hassan Pasha
Graphic Designs Hassan Pasha
Props Zainab Hasan
Sound Design Mustafa Hasan
Film Documentarian Ali Raza
Workshop Facilitator Sarah Morrisette
Prologue The Acting Company
Introduction
Woman at the Well Rabia Ajaib
Interviewers Rabia Pasha, Hishaam Muzaffar
Iftikhar Ali Safeer U. Khan
Zainab Hiba Ali
Act One: Life Before The Acting Company
Act Two: Gathering Storm
The Card Player Safeer U.Khan
Pushing Out the Army Fizza Hasan
Young Lover Ikram U. Khan
A New Headmaster Kazim Hussain
Man on the Roof Usman Khan
Act Three: Midnight
Packing Up Rabia Pasha
Woman at the Well Rabia Ajaib
My Banyan Tree Ammar Khalid
Shielding Neighbors Usman Khan
At the Window Kazim Hussain, Ikram U. Khan
Act Four: Migration
On the Train Rabia Pasha
Professor Ganesh Ammar Khalid
Journey on Foot Fizza Hasan
Waking Up To Madness Salman Haider
Man in the Camp Usman Khan
House in Wazirabad (Pakistan) Hiba Ali
Act Five: Life After
Telephone Call Ikram Khan
The House With a Pond Fizza Hasan
A Brothers’ Reunion Hishaam Muzaffar
Letters Across the Divide Hiba Ali, Salman Haider
Burying the Hatchet Safeer U. Khan
Water from Lahore Usman Khan
Coffee House Rabia Pasha
Wedding Day Rabia Ajaib
Where is Pakistan? Hishaam Muzaffar
Urvashi Butalia comes to see the performance
Audiences’ Views on Dagh Dagh Ujala
Dagh Dagh Ujala in Media
The stained dawn – published in The Nation
Theatre play recounts a tarnished dawn – Published in Dawn
Theatre Wallay sets the stage for Partition sufferers – Published in Daily Times
Theater Wallay plan to take play based on Partition stories to India – Published in Express Tribune