Yara G Aman Karso

How often do we get to see Street Theatre or just theatre, in Pakistan? You know the answer. But finally, someone did it. Makhotay, in collaboration with The Curtain Raiser Productions did it. Kudos to Team Makhotay for breaking the qasam. Hats off to the creator, the man behind the thought - Sibte Hassan (applause). The play, titled Yara G Aman Karso, the thought behind the play is very simple, and presents a very good outlook towards life i.e., “live and let live”. However, this is only the thought, which is very simple, and presents an ideal scenario, but the plot thickens as the curtain uncovers. Street theatre is performed out there in the open, the cadence, the charm, live interaction, live performance, and live reaction. I have performed street theatre in Interior Sindh, and it gets a bit difficult with the crowd, as you’re unaware, how they might react. Particularly, when performing, something of this nature.

The plot revolves around social disorder in the society. Where different characters portray different mindsets of the society. In terms of scripting, a well-written script, great characterization, good situations provided to the characters, but the dialogues however were not the best, if you compare the situation with the characters.

Well, the characters were interesting, and denoted different classes of the society. The way they respond to a certain situation was well-managed by the actors. Dialog delivery was on point. A big yes to the performances. Another interesting aspect, which is to be noted, is how well the actors play with the ground: i.e., how well can they put the ground to their best use. Acting, particularly theatre, is all about improvisation, and the actors managed that in a brilliant manner. Street theatre ain’t easy to perform.

A beautiful rendition to this street-theatre portrayal was another street element; rap. Hiphop is one of the most vocal art forms. It’s very raw in its nature and rap, if performed rightly, compliments any given scene, as in 2018, we performed rap in our play: “Girah”. Good situational rap by the two rappers as it complimented the whole act, and the enactment, the only criticism that I have, is that it’s 2021, and still rappers cannot identify their own voice, as hip-hop is all about being you, with your own voice, and not of Bohemia’s, or any other galli rapper, who yeahs or aahs at you whenever you talk to them. SMH.

Direction was well-handled. Kudos to the director, inconveniences were avoided, and that is the beauty of direction, and shows the skill of a director. There’s more to management, than to play, or portray in terms of direction. In all the courses of action, direction was at the top, then acting, then script/plot. If I were to rate it, I wouldn't, ‘cause it’s art meri jaan, and there are no judgements or indictments or rankings, in the end, art wins, theatre wins, well done Team Makhotay, thank you for reigniting the spark. Hope the pursuit follows. In the end… well-played!