Theatre fest celebrating ‘bold’ Manto postponed in Pakistan  

Days after well known author Nayatara Sehgal’s invite to Marathi Sahitya Sammelan was revoked in India fearing that she was going to speak against the atmosphere of bigotry and intimidation prevalent in the country, Pakistan’s Alhamra Arts Council postponed the theatre festival celebrating the work of celebrated author Manto, Pakistan Today reported. Reports say that a conservative group forced the Alhamra Arts council to cancel Manto Festival because according to them the renowned author’s works promote vulgarity.

Pakistan Today has quoted an official who, on the condition of anonymity said, “Punjab ministry officials oppose holding the event because of the nature of the writer’s work.”

Azad, Ajoka, Mass Foundation and AKS were the theatre groups scheduled to perform during the festival. The theatre festival was scheduled to be held from January 14 to January 17.

Alhamra Arts Council has however said that the festival has only been postponed and not cancelled.

Pakistan Today quoted Ather Ali Khan, the council’s executive director as saying, “Manto Drama is not cancelled by Alhamra. Only the dates are reallocated. There is a false rumour about its cancellation. I have always encouraged and promoted serious, positive and family theatre.”

Well-known Indian Urdu poet Gauhar Raza called this very unfortunate and said that such people are now both in India and Pakistan who are trying to curb freedom of expression and promotion of our culture.

Humayun Ashraf, associate professor of Urdu in Vinoba Bhave University, Jharkhand also expressed his sadness over the entire incident and said that it is a fact that Manto faced more trials in Pakistan than in India and this kind of conservatism and extremism is more prevalent in Pakistan even today.

Khwaja Mohd Ikramuddin, associate professor of Urdu in JNU said that Manto’s work is regarded as a precious asset of Urdu literature and it can’t be viewed with an orthodox point of view.