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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#tune #problems #transgender #community #perspective
**Interview with Kanwal Khost, Founder of Olomopolo Media, on the Theater Play ‘Tesri Dhan’**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Kanwal. ‘Tesri Dhan’ has been making waves since its premiere. Can you tell us about the central themes of the play?
**Kanwal Khost:** Thank you for having me! ‘Tesri Dhan’ is a heartfelt exploration of the transgender community’s challenges, but it goes beyond that to portray the struggles of all characters in the play. We aimed to highlight issues faced by multiple marginalized groups through a very personal lens.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the play is based on personal stories. How did you gather these narratives?
**Kanwal Khost:** We conducted extensive interviews with transgender individuals. The performers in our play have lived these experiences, which really brings authenticity to their portrayal. This immersive approach allows the audience to connect deeply with their stories.
**Interviewer:** What was the significance of using a trans performer cast?
**Kanwal Khost:** It’s crucial to feature transgender actors telling their own stories. This ensures that their voices are authentically represented and that the audience understands their lived experiences better. It’s empowering for the performers and serves as a crucial part of the narrative.
**Interviewer:** The play has been performed internationally as well. What has been the reaction from audiences outside Pakistan?
**Kanwal Khost:** The reception has been overwhelmingly positive. International audiences are often surprised by the depth and richness of these stories, as well as the talent of the cast. It’s fascinating to see how art transcends cultural boundaries.
**Interviewer:** Collaborations seem to be a key aspect of this production. How did your partnership with Justice Project Pakistan and Hope come about?
**Kanwal Khost:** Our collaborations aim to amplify the message of ‘Tesri Dhan’. Justice Project Pakistan and Hope share a commitment to advancing the rights of marginalized communities. By working together, we can create a greater impact and foster dialogue.
**Interviewer:** During your previous performances, have you noticed changes in societal attitudes towards transgender rights in Pakistan?
**Kanwal Khost:** Absolutely! There’s been a shift in awareness and acceptance over the years, especially due to efforts like ‘Tesri Dhan’. People are starting to engage more honestly with these issues, and art plays a huge role in facilitating those conversations.
**Interviewer:** What do you hope audiences take away from the performance?
**Kanwal Khost:** I hope they leave with a deeper understanding and empathy for the transgender community. We want them to reflect on their own perceptions and perhaps challenge societal norms that marginalize any group.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much, Kanwal, for sharing your insights. We look forward to the continued success of ‘Tesri Dhan’!
**Kanwal Khost:** Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing this important work with you.