FilmIndia (1948)

GHADDAR (STAGE PLAY) Produced By: Prithvi Theatres Language: Urdu Stage Play & > Dialogue: \ Inder Rai Anand Art Direction: L'zra Mumtaz ' SSt: Prithviraj, L'zra Mumtaz. Zolira Segal, Krishen Dhawan, Prem Nath, Kanwal Kapoor, Mansaram, Push pa. Staged At: Royal Opera House Directed By PRITHVIRAJ KAPOOR HUR REVIEW "Ghaddar" -A Great National Play! Writer lnder Raj Deserves A Salute ! In keeping with his previous stage raditions and inspired by the highest deals of nationalism. Prithviraj presents "Ghaddar", a powerful political stage play, which seeks to correct he Muslim angle of vision and to nstill in them once again the love 'or the land they were born in and in loing so also effectively tones down he anger of the Hindus who sacri5ced their all — soul and soil — to lay he foundations of Pakistan. It is a noble work which Prithviraj is doing. It is, however, destined .0 be half-effective because the Mus.ims of India have practically boyjotted the play and Prithviraj's sernon to them remains unheard, while Jie huge crowds of Hindus who flock to see the play every time go out with ie edge of their anger dulled and with feelings of sympathy and fraterlization for Muslims whom they are low inclined to forgive as innocent victims of political propaganda. The Muslim boycott of the play, however, seems to be so thorough that one is led to wonder whether all he Muslims in the city think with jne mind whenever anything touching Pakistan is discussed or debated. lay w right Inder Raj Anand makes ttage history with his dynamic play "Chaddar", produced by Prillni Theatres. The Hindu sentiment of sympathy and fraternization, which the play creates, must in course of time die for want of response, because it takes two to begin a brotherhood. To those who think that the Pakistanis of India have now become quiet and peace-loving, the numerous threats, direct and indirect, which Prithviraj receives from dav to dav would make an interesting revelation. Though politically subdued for the lime being, it is well understood by all the knowing ones that the present dormant volcano of Pakistani ambitions will some day erupt once again taking its toll of human lives. It is this suppressed hatred and ambition which "Ghaddar" noblv seeks to correct by pointing out to these people, in unmistakable terms, their sacred duty to the land of their birth and their rights and privileges in the said land. And Prithviraj does this with extreme politeness and without any bitterness. In fact. "Ghaddar" is a truthful exposition of Muslim political activities during the last 27 years without any exaggeration or even equivocation. There is nothing in it to hurt a single sensible Muslim. And yet history which is but a record of past human sins must as in the case of deep-dyed Pakistanis anger them and it would not be surprising to find a truthful and wellmeant play like "Ghaddar" becoming a point of provocation because it Prithviraj, our only stage producer, scores another personal triumph in his new stage-play. "Ghaddar". presents stern facts which are historical. Those who think that the Pakistanis are repentant, let them perish the thought by counting the sympathisers of the Nizam who have been arrested by our police recently. Whether lliese people kill Prithviraj or let him live (as God has little to do with life and death these days l. as the theme of "Ghaddar"' supports the ideals of our secular state, others would be found to stage the play and keep the good work go ing in case a bullet or a knife takes our good-hearted stage producer to the land of eternal rest. The very cast of players in "Chad dar". composed of Hindus and Muslims in spiritual harmony of art. proves the message of the play and sets a glorious example to the two sons of the same soil to live together ind die in a wedlock of peace and harmony. Good has always borne the brunt of evil and just because of some threatened violence. Prithviraj. as far as we know him. is not a man to quail in submission and digress from his distinctive contribution to a secular state. Gandhi ji would have walked smiling towards Xathuram Godse even if Godse. revolver in hand, had shouted that he was going to shoot our saint. That is the way of idealists. Anyway we wish Prithviraj a long life and many more plays. \ DYNAMIC STORY Coming to the play itself, it is a dynamic storv in human words. Inder 43