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    'Dhaiti Deewarain' - Zia Mohyeddin's take on Gorky

    Play 'Dhaiti Deewarain' by Zia Mohyeddin

    Written by: Anas Mehmood
    Posted on: May 20, 2015 |

    Peter and his father take center stage in the opening scene

    The caliber of Zia Mohyeddin is such that one cannot dare to say that he has outdone himself. However, there are certainly times when one sees his work and is almost coerced into commenting that Zia sahib has done justice to his immense capacities. Karachi’s National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) is the place to be at right now, where some incredibly gifted actors are personating Russian characters in a play directed by Zia Mohyeddin himself. ‘Dhaiti Deewarain’ is a reprinting; a genuine facsimile of Maxim Gorky’s play ‘The Philistines’.

    Play 'Dhaiti Deewarain' by Zia Mohyeddin

    Neil expresses his love for Polia

    Being performed over the course of two weeks from May 14th till 28th, the play is a bona fide depiction of what goes on inside every run-of-the-mill household, with individuals striving to come up with strong, independent identities to express themselves outside of their family name. The play commences with an argument between two of the main characters. Peter’s father ridicules him by constantly reminding him that he has been kicked out of university; a last resort opted for by the old man each time he finds himself losing an argument. This belligerent father is the most influential character in the play. He is distraught by his repeated failure to become a mayor, and disappointed in his young daughter, who has not attracted any suitors for herself.

    Play 'Dhaiti Deewarain' by Zia Mohyeddin

    The delusional Chirimaar

    One noteworthy aspect of the play is its use of well-crafted dialogues that are lusciously Urdu in nature, with dark satire and intelligent wordplay that is sure to keep you engaged throughout. Most of the puns and innuendoes are meant to make the audience feel the harshness and abrasiveness of real life. At other instances, though, the ironic situations and well-placed dialogues were of a humorous nature, inducing fits of laughter into the jam-packed NAPA auditorium. “Mein itni khush kyun rehti hoon?” “Kyunkay tumhara naam aurat hai” and “Baaz logon ko ilm bohat nuqsan pohanchata hai” are two such examples of the play’s tongue-in-cheek humor.

    The plot thickens as more characters add to the mishmash in a house that is already in shambles. One particularly strong character is that of Elena, also referred to as ‘Rani Sahiba’. She is a tenant in the house who is seen openly flirting with Peter, to the strong disapproval of his father. Two love stories are also seen clinging to life in the face of opposition and hardships. Neil, Peter’s brother, fires up proceedings by asking Polia’s hand in marriage. If all this weren’t enough, Polia’s unstable father Purchigan contributes to the madness by jumping in with his delusions, ill-timed jokes and sarcasms. Frequently referred to as ‘Chirimaar’, this character delivered the most uproarious performance, eliciting constant laughter in the crowd.

    Play 'Dhaiti Deewarain' by Zia Mohyeddin

    The talented cast

    ‘Dhaiti Deewarain’ offers a lot more than meets the eye. It masterfully encapsulates the Russia that Maxim Gorky wanted to depict, touches upon socialist philosophies and the bourgeois mindset, and makes no effort to disguise the hatred that the characters have for each other, but rather celebrates it. With its melodious folk music, complementing ensembles, and flawless transitions between impending scenes, ‘Dhaiti Deewarain’ is not just a feast for the eyes. It is the perfect showcase of the tremendous talent of Pakistani theatre.


    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