Serious play in lighter vein

LAHORE:THE Government College University Lahore Horticulture Society on Wednesday staged an Urdu play “Darakhton Ke Bhoot” (Ghosts of Trees), which drew a loud applause from the audience for its insightful and serious messages conveyed in a light humorous manner.

The theme of the play is deforestation and its consequences on environment and human lives.

A press release here on Wednesday said the play was written by GCU BS (Honours) Electronic student Haroon Mahmood. Its stage was set up in a peaceful and healthy environment of a village where people were happy, kind and active. The situation starts changing as soon as the Chaudhry of the village allows industrialists to fell trees and install factories. The encounters among the characters are both witty and insightful. The play is also an open criticism on fake spiritual leaders who befool others for money.

The play also raises criticism on the greedy nature of humans, who sacrifice welfare of society for their petty interests. GCU Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Prof Dr Khalid Pervaiz appreciated the efforts of GCU Horticulture Society and said the Government College Lahore has the longest history of art and literature among all the educational institutions of Pakistan. In 1890s during the tenure of Prof Bell and Dallinger as principals of the college, scenes from Shakespearian plays were staged here. By the turn of the century, GC Dramatics Club not only was staging English plays but also plays in Sanskrit, Urdu and Punjabi. In 1902, the club performed Kali Das’s Shakuntala. It was such a big success that it was performed again the next year, Prof Khalid Pervaiz added.

The Dean Faculty of Arts said that during 1940s, the club rapidly developed and it was mainly due to the association of Prof GD Sondhi and Prof Ahmad Shah Patras Bokhari. Prof Sondhi and Prof Bokhari both staged Hamlet and performed the role of Hamlet with perfection. The vice chancellor of Punjab University at that time performed the role of the Ghost. GCU Horticulture Society Adviser Prof Dr Zaheerud Din said the play “Darakhton Ke Bhoot” was aimed at raising awareness among students about environmental pollution and importance of trees. He said that global climate was changing rapidly. Ozone layer is depleting because through the years, people have been doing activities that harm the environment. He said that they needed to mobilise students to raise their voice against the anti-environment activities. He said that GCU students and faculty have planted 10,000 saplings in last couple of months as their share to save environment.

The cast of the play includes Haroon as Chaudhry Sahib, Iqra as Mrs Chaudhry Sahib, Moaz Saeed as Naseehat Aapa, Sarah as Sobia Boota, Ahmed and Sohaib as servants, Bilal Ibrahim as Shehri Babu, Humayra Shahzadi as Witch, Muhammad Ahmad as Ali, Osama as Village Boy and Adnan Ahmed as Sayin Gum Baba. Fatima, Iqra and Farha played the roles of village girls.

The play was followed by a musical evening in which members of the GCU Nazir Ahmed Music Society (NAMS) gave a rocking performances.The news.