This seems really cool, and I only wish I could get a chance to see it.
If this is a sign of the future of Pak tourism, then we have a very bright future:)
A unique evening at Rohtas:
What do you get when you put together special lighting effects and realistic soundtrack, costumed actors and dancers, horses and camels, a historic setting and a riveting story? Answer: an amazing sound and light live drama extravaganza. Add in fireworks and a delicious buffet meal and you have all the ingredients for a truly wonderful evening of entertainment.
The venue for this unique show was the Rohtas Fort, off the GT Road approximately one third of the way from Islamabad to Lahore. The date, Saturday November 2. The idea, a new and growing one in tourism: bringing historical sites to life using sound and light effects. Visitors to the pyramids in Egypt will be familiar with the concept. The difference at Rohtas was that the show featured live actors too.
They told the story of Sher Shah Suri, Emperor of Hindustan. And what a story it was! Packed with action, romance, scheming, tragedy and success, Suri’s life is truly a dream story for any director. The show focussed on the big tragedy in Suri’s life: his love of Rajput princess Chandravati. Fareed Khan (Suri’s real name) kidnapped Chandravati and her father, but she committed suicide after he killed the Raja. Despite his successes as a ruler, Suri never recovered from her loss.
Acclaimed dramatist Fatima Surraya Bajiya wrote the script for the show. No matter how enthralling the story and how excellent the script, it alone does not make a good production. The brilliant portrayal at Rohtas of Sher Shah Suri’s life was due to skillful use of light and sound effects; a stage that shifted from one part of the fort to another; video drama clips; a vast cast of actors; solo and group dance performances; and pyrotechnics all woven together with excellent commentary. In short, a kaleidoscope of events.
The show was put together by Serendip Productions of Islamabad, a husband and wife collaboration: Dr Farooq Baig and Huma Mustafa Baig. The pair returned to Pakistan from England several years ago and have since been involved in making documentary and development programmes as well as drama and TV series. In their own words, “We’re into promoting Pakistan, preserving our rich and diverse cultural heritage and bringing to world audiences all the fantastic facets of our lives that they never imagined.” That evening, they certainly did that.
What made the evening’s entertainment even more remarkable was the fact that it was put together in just three weeks, and that the performance was the first proper run-through of the whole show. There were no dress rehearsals. The project had originally been conceived over a year ago, but put on hold after Sept 11. A few weeks ago the decision was made to go ahead with it but - with Ramazan around the corner - it was a real race against time. Dr Baig modestly claimed there had been some glitches in the show, but with the exception of an actor whose costume caught fire (!), the show seemed to go very smoothly. The whole event was held to raise money for the Rohtas Fort Conservation Fund. The Himalayan Wildlife Fund organized it and Shell were the sponsors of the project.
Around 400 people made the trek out to Rohtas. That was a gamble on the part of the organizers - holding an event so far from the two main ‘centres of civilization’, Islamabad and Lahore - but one that paid off. Those who made the effort to come shared quite a unique experience. They were seated at elaborately decorated tables surrounded on all sides by the walls of the old fort. The action took place literally all around them - sometimes on one wall, sometimes another.
Familiar faces in the rapt audience included actors Simi Raheel and Yasin Sheikh (who also starred in the video clip), BBC reporter Susannah Price, (outgoing?) Minister of Culture and Tourism Colonel Tressler, stylist Tariq Amin and a host of senior businessmen, diplomats and socialites. All were united in praise of the show.
The only glitch in the otherwise impeccable organizing was the failure to inform people that the old route to Rohtas - off the GT road before Dina - was no longer passable. Many previous visitors to the fort went there, only to retrace their steps and take the new route further along the GT road.
All in all then, a wonderful and quite unique evening. The organizations concerned involved in bringing it about can deservedly give themselves a big pat on the back. Hopefully their success will inspire others to move away from the run-of-the-mill fashion and music shows and seek other such innovative forms of entertainment. And if they can promote a good cause like conserving Rohtas in the process, even better!
:k: