A theater play titled ‘Tesri Dhan’ was presented at Sart Studio, Lahore, organized by Olu Mopolomedia, the special feature of which is that it not only highlighted the problems faced by the transgender community but also all the characters of the play. There are also eunuchs.
These transvestites acted out the behavior of their own wives and other transvestites in this society.
Speaking to Independent Urdu, Kanwal Khost, founder of Olomopolo, said: ‘Tesri Dhan is a theater play which was created after a lot of research. We presented it for the first time in 2015 in Lahore and at that time we named it Documentary Theatre. This time we are doing it as a dedicated theater production.’
He said that the stories of this theater are based on the personal lives of many people, these are the links of their narrative.
“The other thing that is different is that in 2015, we had the entire cast of this play of transgenders and even today its cast is of transgenders.”
He said that he had interviewed many transgenders and selected six performers from among them, trained them and prepared them. This theater of his has performed many times outside of Pakistan. This theater was presented for the third time in Lahore.
Kanwal said that the number of times this theater was performed, people not only appreciated the narrative but also appreciated the transgender actors.
Justice Project Pakistan and Hope also collaborated with Olomopolo to present the third tune this year.
Dr Clearpayment, the director of the third song, told Independent Urdu: ‘I have been living in Pakistan for 15 years and have worked in various educational institutions like NCA and BNU. We started working on the third tune in 2014. We started it under a research grant. We were interviewing many transgender people about their lives and their rights. I was interested in performance and activism so thought that instead of writing books, why not create a theater play that involves the same community and tells their own stories through performance.’
He said: ‘We rehearsed for months before bringing this theater to the public and then in 2015 we performed the first play at Alhamra. In 2016 also we presented it to the public and after that we have now brought this theatre. We also presented this theater in America.’
He said that positive changes have been seen for the rights of transgender people in the last few years.
He said that the cast of this theater play is very talented but there are no or very few acting opportunities for them. Dr. Clearpayment believes that when we talk about transgender rights, we should also talk about art and culture, which is a huge part of this society. And everyone should work with them.
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The play is directed by Dr. Claire Payment and Aram Sana while its producer and art director is Kanwal Khost. A large number of people were present to witness the play.
Well-known actress Sammy Raheel while talking to Independent Urdu regarding the third song said: ‘We keep throwing such topics under the carpet. We neither talk nor want to, although this is the reality of ours and of every society. It is very important for us to believe this and make it a reality. It was a very important and game-changing performance.’
Renowned actor Irfan Khost had this to say about the third song: ‘There is acting that has to be done while it is true and truth does not require any testimony. Truth is successful and effective. Especially it was the voice of Khwaja Saraoun’s heart. He narrated his sufferings and when the suffering is narrated, it has an effect on the beholders and the listeners. And that which has an effect is the most successful.’
Irfan Khost said that in his opinion, where eight to ten commercial dramas are happening in Lahore every day, such a drama should be played continuously so that people who have come from outside can also watch it and those who are away from the theater can see it. Also watch it to feel each other’s pain.
Neeli Rana, a character in the play, told Independent Urdu: ‘I had my own life story with violence, the killing of my disciple’s disciple which I narrated here. These stories start from a culture and then turn into a story. We tried to bring to the fore the issues that concern our community.’
Human rights activist Dr Moeez while talking to Independent Urdu said: ‘This play has specially highlighted the exploitation of transgenders and the role of the police in it. How the colonial police force, then the admiral police force and now our provincial police force systematically violate the rights of Khawaja Saraoun and subject them to torture since the time of the British. And it is the need of the hour to criminalize police violence in Pakistan.’
Jannat Ali, another performer of the third song, shared his feelings, saying: ‘While performing, we narrated our true stories, which was a very painful phase. We laughed, cried and danced with people. Told them what reality is and how important it is to accept one gender.’
According to drama actor Daniyal Raheel: ‘Such performances reveal these issues. These revelations change people’s views, which in turn change our ideas, which is essential for change.’
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**Interview with Kanwal Khost, Founder of Olomopolo Media, on the Theater Play ”Tesri Dhan”**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Kanwal. “Tesri Dhan” is capturing a lot of attention. Can you tell us what inspired you to organize this play and focus on the transgender community?
**Kanwal Khost:** Thank you for having me. The inspiration for “Tesri Dhan” arose from a deep need to highlight the struggles and narratives of the transgender community, which are often marginalized. We realized that theater could be a powerful medium to give voice to their stories. We first presented this play in 2015, and it was born out of extensive research and interviews with transgender individuals about their lives.
**Editor:** You mentioned that the current cast is made up of transgender performers. Why is this important for the production?
**Kanwal Khost:** It is crucial because this production is about their realities, their experiences. Casting transgender actors not only authenticates the narratives but also empowers the community by providing them a platform to express themselves artistically. They trained hard to portray their own stories, and their performances resonate deeply with the audience.
**Editor:** Dr. Claire Payment directed this version of the play. How did her vision contribute to the overall message?
**Kanwal Khost:** Dr. Claire has been deeply involved in researching transgender rights in Pakistan for many years. Her vision was to blend performance with activism, showing that storytelling can be a form of advocacy. Under her direction, the play not only entertains but also educates the audience about the struggles faced by transgender people.
**Editor:** During the performances, how has the audience responded to the themes presented in “Tesri Dhan”?
**Kanwal Khost:** The audience has reacted very positively. People express their appreciation for both the narrative and the bravery of the performers. This emotional connection often leads to conversations about acceptance and understanding within society, which is our ultimate goal.
**Editor:** Renowned actress Sammy Raheel mentioned that topics surrounding transgender issues often get overlooked. What are your thoughts on that?
**Kanwal Khost:** Sammy is absolutely right. Society tends to sweep uncomfortable truths under the carpet. By bringing these stories to the forefront, we encourage dialogue and acceptance, helping shift societal norms towards more inclusiveness.
**Editor:** Given the success of “Tesri Dhan,” what are your hopes for the future of theater in Pakistan, particularly for marginalized communities?
**Kanwal Khost:** I hope to see more productions like “Tesri Dhan” that explore diverse narratives and promote inclusivity. Theater should be a space for all voices, and it is our responsibility as artists to create opportunities for marginalized communities. I envision a cultural landscape where such stories are celebrated and integrated into mainstream conversations.
**Editor:** Thank you, Kanwal, for sharing your insights on “Tesri Dhan.” It’s clear that both this play and the work you do with Olomopolo hold great significance in the quest for social change.
**Kanwal Khost:** Thank you for having me. I’m grateful for the opportunity to discuss our work and the importance of representation in theater.
