Ajoka in London - Pakistan Art going Global

Not only Pakistan's visual art is going global, other forms are heading in the same direction. Be it Pakistani actors crossing over the borderline, our writers making a mark internationally or fashion designers spreading their wings beyond the land of the pure (and in case you re wondering, yes fashion designers are for sure artists too!).

And now we have our own very Ajoka Theatre's production being reproduced in London. Great start to Pakistan Art in 2015 !

Enjoy !

Your ever wondering Artwallaa (what would our history - and future - had been if Dara had won the feud !!)

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Dara

Reporter: Matthew Amer

Source: London Theatre

 

Zubin Varla stars in Dara at the National Theatre (Photo: Ellie Kurttz)

 

What’s it all about?

A gripping cocktail of Shakespearean history play, Game Of Thrones-style epic legend, fairytale and modern theatremaking, Dara is a tale of warring brothers.
First performed by Pakistan’s Ajoka Theatre, it tells the compelling story of the bitter 17th century battle for power over the South Asian Mughal Empire fought by the liberal Sufi poet Dara and his strict fundamentalist brother Aurangzeb.
Leaping through time and space like an indecisive Gallifreyan – I’m sure I heard the TARDIS somewhere in the sound design – it charges towards its conclusion while exploring the events that shaped the sibling’s characters.

 

Who’s in it?

The ever reliable Zubin Varla is back at the National, giving a stirring central performance and bringing earnestness, honesty, passion and unwavering conviction to Dara.
Sargon Yelda takes on Aurangzeb, a role that could easily become a panto villain. Here, rather than moustache-twirling rogue, the younger brother becomes a confused boy, desperately, relentlessly and viciously lashing out in an attempt to control the world. Credit goes to Yelda, writer Shahid Nadeem, adapter Tanya Ronder and director Nadia Fall.

 

Chook Sibtain and Anjli Mohindra star in Dara at the National Theatre (Photo: Ellie Kurttz)

 

What should I look out for?

The courtroom scene that concludes the first half, which features Prasanna Puwanarajah as a wily lawyer interrogating Dara about his Muslim beliefs or lack thereof in the eyes of his brother. It finds the title character at his most eloquent and Varla at his most passionate. Most importantly of all it perfectly lays bare the arguments for differing interpretations of religious texts, from fundamental acceptance to understanding the circumstances of their writing. I’m not sure there has ever been a more important time to put a scene of this clarity on the stage.

 

In a nutshell?

A bewitching tale of Indian history with a scintillating first half finale as good as any Shakespearean stand-off.
 

Zubin Varla and Prasanna Puwanarajah star in Dara at the National Theatre (Photo: Ellie Kurttz)

 

 

What’s being said on Twitter?

@rezkempton Congrats to everyone involved in #ntDara @NationalTheatre Brilliant performances & thought provoking piece. So relevant for current climate
@ShaziaAshraf I forced myself not to applaud during Dara's trial monologue. Blown away! #ntDara @NationalTheatre

 

Will I like it?

Dara is one of those shows that has a little bit for everyone. At its heart is a rompingly good tale, a classic bro on bro fight for a crown. Throw in a bit of history – I’ll admit this is a time and place of which my knowledge is sadly lacking – two sensational central performances and a thick seam of religious interpretation and understanding, and you’ve got a cracking production.


Dara is playing at the National Theatre Lyttelton until 4 April. You can book tickets through us here, or for performances to 13 February book through our ticket promotion Get Into London Theatre.
 

 

Sargon Yelda and Anjana Vasan star in Dara at the National Theatre (Photo: Ellie Kurttz)

 

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Dara, National Theatre, review: 'ambitious'

This is a bold retelling of a history-shaping episode from India's past, says Laura Barnett

Source: Independent 

Sibling rivalry: Sargon Yelda as Aurangzeb (left) and Zubin Varla as Dara (centre) Photo: Alastair Muir

By Laura Barnett

  

A priapic emperor; two warring princes; a battle for succession that will cut right to the heart of what it means to be devout... The epic tale of the 17th-century prince Dara Shikoh and his brother and nemesis Aurangzeb, whose dispute played a key role in shaping the history of modern-day India and Pakistan, could have come straight from the pages of Shakespeare, or the stories of Scheherazade. 

Well known across South Asia, the brothers’ fate deserves to be better known elsewhere. Full credit to director Nadia Fall and writer Tanya Ronder, then, for bringing this ambitious show to the Lyttleton, adapted from a 2010 play by the Pakistani dramatist Shahid Nadeem.
 

As indicated in the programme notes, the key challenge of presenting the story of Dara and Aurangzeb to British audiences lies in fully acquainting us with its complex cast of characters, and providing sufficient historical and cultural context.

Click here to read the rest