Ajoka Theatre’s acclaimed cultural play Lo Phir Basant Aee received an enthusiastic and heartfelt response from audiences at Chandigarh’s prestigious Tagore Hall on Monday, 19 January.
Written by eminent playwright and Ajoka Theatre’s Executive Director Shahid Nadeem, and directed in its Indian production by noted theatre director Karan Gulzar, the play presents the poignant story of a Lahore-based kite-maker who clings to the hope that colourful kites will once again fill the skies of Lahore. Blending emotional depth with gentle humour, the production reflects on cultural memory, resilience and the enduring human longing for joy.
In his message to Ajoka Theatre, director Karan Gulzar thanked Shahid Nadeem for crafting a play that is both meaningful and engaging. He appreciated the way the script addresses a wide range of social and human issues with sensitivity and delightful humour.
A cast member who portrayed the role of the mother shared that the performers and audience alike deeply appreciated the play. She conveyed greetings and thanks to Shahid Nadeem for thoughtfully addressing a wide range of issues with warmth and humour, adding that both the group of amateur artists and the audience thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. She also noted that theatre audiences in India look forward to more such creative collaborations in the future.
Originally premiered by Ajoka Theatre in 2014, Lo Phir Basant Aee was also staged during Ajoka’s Humsaya Theatre Festival in Chandigarh in 2016. Its recent performance in Chandigarh reaffirmed the play’s enduring relevance and artistic strength, earning wide appreciation from theatre practitioners and audiences alike.
Ajoka Theatre will also be staging Lo Phir Basant Aee in Lahore on 30 January, followed by another two performance in the first week of February at Government College University Lahore. These performances are part of the celebrations marking the revival of the cultural festival of Basant, which is being celebrated again after many years, highlighting the spirit of cultural renewal and shared heritage.
The successful presentation of Lo Phir Basant Aee across borders once again underscores Ajoka Theatre’s commitment to promoting cultural dialogue and celebrating shared traditions through meaningful theatre.