Sharique Aziz as Sahir in Sahir Ka Khayal Aaya
A hundred years ago was born a poet who is remembered, revered and celebrated today in this century just as much as he was in the previous one. Sahir Ludhianvi. The name evokes awe, reverence and of course a deep emotional connect. His poetry, his songs and his ghazals and nazms carry their undiminished relevance even today, transcending the barriers of time and even language. Across the country, scores of events, both online and offline, have been planned to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of this legendary poet that falls on 8th March 2021. Carving out a unique place among them, is the one actor play Sahir Ka Khayal Aaya, set to premiere on March 7, 2021 at LTG Auditorium, New Delhi.
Sahir Ka Khayal Aaya, marks the return to stage after lockdown for Pierrot’s Troupe, the Delhi-based theatre group. Directed by Dr M Sayeed Alam and produced by films and film music connoisseur Sundeep Pahwa, the play centres around Sahir’s celebrated poem Parchhaiyan. Says Sundeep Pahwa, “The poet who has given us so much pleasures in life through his poetry and songs, I thought if we can offer a humble payback by doing something different.”
When Sundeep Pahwa shared his thoughts for this play, the playwright-director Sayeed Alam started giving it shape and structure. “Watch romance and revolution being staged,” says Dr Alam about the play that features a single actor playing Sahir and reciting the entire poem as a ‘Monologue’, showcasing young Sahir in the state of crafting his long poem Parchhaiyan.
Sahir Ka Khayal Aaya
This highly popular and acclaimed anti-war poem is considered the longest anti-war poem in the last 100 years. The play creates a beautiful blend of poetry, drama and songs, weaving in about 8-9 songs through the verses. “Though Sahir was just 28 when he wrote Parchhaiyyan, those thoughts stayed with him and later he incorporated them in many songs. Some of those songs are sung live on stage as the play progresses,” explains Sundeep Pahwa.
Interestingly, Sahir was just 28 when he wrote this poem and Sharique Aziz, the actor who plays Sahir is also 28. The songs will be sung by theatre actor Abhinav Chaturvedi who will be singing for the first time on stage; singer Naveen Anand, known for his impeccable renditions in the shows of Ibaadat Foundation that celebrate legendary lyricists of Hindi film music and new singer Poonam Talwar.
Language: Urdu
Show: PREMIER show
Script: Sahir Ludhianvi
Direction: Dr M Sayeed Alam
Conceptualized and Produced by Sundeep Pahwa
Duration: 1hr 15mins
Date: MARCH 7, 2021, Sunday
Venue: LTG Auditorium, Copernicus Marg, New Delhi.
Tickets: Rs 1000/ 750/ 500/ 400/ 300/ 200/ 100
Tickets are available at 9810255291, 9811116792, on www.bookmyshow.com and at the venue
More to read
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Voh Kahaan Hain: Songs of Sahir
Sahir Ludhianvi: The People’s Poet
Sahir Ludhianvi: The Rebel, The Lover
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His life was made of ‘words’, But one will not easily find words with which to do justice to describe his contribution to Urdu literature (to say nothing of Hindi Films).
I think I shall just take the liberty of (mis)quoting Ghalib and say:
“Hain aur bhi duniyaan mein sukhanwar bahut ache.
Kehte hain ke ‘Sahir’ ka hai andaaz e bayaan aur.”