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    Baraf Paani - A Karachi Love Story

    Play Baraf Paani - A Karachi Love Story

    Written by: Zoha Rizwan
    Posted on: May 18, 2015 | | 中文

    (l-r) Amtul Baweja as Suhaani and Hadi bin Arshad as Hussein

    At face value, ‘Baraf Paani – A Karachi Love Story’ might seem like just another tale of two souls destined to meet each other. But in essence, through this love story, writer-director Hamza Bangash has skillfully portrayed the restrictive norms of our society regarding key issues such as choosing a career and a life partner.

    The young Hamza Bangash is a man of many talents, renowned for his documentaries, short films and independent video projects. He believes in the ability of theatre and cinema to bridge divides and overcome preconceptions. His first short film, Badal, was shown at the Cannes Court Métrage at the Cannes Film Festival. It was also accepted into the film market program at Palm Springs International ShortFest. 

    When a Cannes-acclaimed director brings you a show, you expect it to be extraordinary, and Baraf Paani did not disappoint. To some, the screenplay might seem cliché, but the stupendous performances by the powerhouse of talent Amtul Baweja as Suhaani, and the charming Hadi bin Arshad as Hussein stole the show, and poignantly touched the hearts of many.

    Play Baraf Paani - A Karachi Love Story

    The first day of the show catered to an audience consisting of invited guests, sponsors, as well as the families of the cast. A small stage was set up, adorned with traditional umbrellas, dupattas and fairy lights, and the scenery was complete with an artistic set of boxes that were also used as props.

    The play commences with Suhaani and Hussein playing Baraf Paani (like most of us did in our childhood) and amusing the audience by playing in between the seats. Suhaani is courageous, hyper and full of fire, whereas Hussein is calm, composed and silent. The tomboyish Suhaani, who wanted to be a cricketer and an astronaut, is shunned by her father for “playing with boys”. Similarly, Hussein’s mother tells him to accompany his male friends to the playground instead of roaming around with Suhaani. They face the same kind of discouraging behavior when it comes to career choices. Eventually, the two become distant, as Suhaani is left to take care of her widowed father, and Hussein is laden with the responsibility of his entire family after his father’s death. Both their parents also fall victim to terrorism in Karachi – another pertinent issue raised by Bangash.

    Life ticks monotonously, with Suhaani and Hussein falling prey to its dullness, until Hussein’s mother sends a word for marriage to Suhaani’s father, and they meet again. They strike the right chords instantly, and emotions develop on both sides.

    Play Baraf Paani - A Karachi Love Story

    After days of imagining their lives together, and feeling ambivalent about their love for each other, Hussein finally comes to meet Suhaani with the intention of professing his love for her. Unfortunately they suffer an accident, but survive, and eventually get married. The play concludes when Suhaani, in a graceful orange gharara, walks from the back of the aisle towards the sherwani-clad Hussein. Having experienced a suppressed childhood, they promise each other that they will never impose their decisions on their children, and will always support their choices.

    Hamza Bangash’s lighthearted attempt to raise issues that we conveniently ignore, through a simple boy-meets-girl love story, deserves due credit. Amtul Baweja set the stage on fire with her intense transformation from a hyperactive tomboy to a conventional, dupatta-clad homemaker. Hadi bin Arshad complemented her with his boyish charm and heartwarming expressions. The show was a complete package, with emotions ranging from sorrow and restlessness to love and joy. The talented Bangash should also aim for more intense plays to raise awareness regarding our society’s imposed shackles, which are often disguised as norms, traditions and rasm-o-riwaaj.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021