Lamakaan’s cozy auditorium was bustling with anticipation, as theatre aficionados, students, and connoisseurs of classic literature gathered for a unique theatrical experience. The Bombay Theatre Group, known for their riveting productions, had arrived in Hyderabad to present ‘Jaam-e-Shahadat’, an adaptation of Saadat Hasan Manto’s thought-provoking tale ‘Shaheed-Saaz’. Portraying the complex ethos of post-Partition India, the play, which ran on January 6 and 7, offered a jarring glimpse into the chaotic lives influenced by the ‘idea of sacrifice and martyrdom’ in the quest for a new national identity.
Sanjeev Mehta and Maya Rao meticulously adapted the sharp-edged story, with Narendra Sachar at the directorial helm, delivering a performance in Hindustani that intertwined Hindi and Urdu eloquently. An almost-55-minute long engagement featuring just two performers – Narendra Sachar and Sanjeev Mehta themselves – commanded the stage, weaving a narrative that was as disturbing as it was comically unsettling.
The story unfolds with a glimpse into the life of a small-time merchant and confirmed con artist hailing from Gujarat. A year after the epochal event of the Partition, he makes the pivotal decision to move to Pakistan. He begins his life anew with menial jobs but swiftly climbs the social ladder, securing government connections and accumulating wealth through unscrupulous means. The director, Narendra Sachar, offers a teaser to the audience, highlighting the protagonist’s swift financial success, “Ek saal mein bahut paisa kamaa leta hai (In one year, he earns a lot of money).”
Evolution or perhaps irony strikes as the man once known for his deceitful ventures decides to embark on a journey of philanthropy. Narendra Sachar, with a nudge and a wink, suggests that his approach to charitable acts is as peculiar as it is hilariously dire.
The genesis of this stark satire can be traced to 2018, when Narendra first encountered Manto’s ‘Shaheed-Saaz’ during a workshop at Jyoti Nivas College in Bengaluru. The intense narrative struck a chord, igniting the desire to not merely narrate the story but to elevate it to a substantial theatrical feat. “My first thought after reading the story was to stage a play,” he reminisces. His vision sought to celebrate the rich tapestry of characters and the tumultuous setting Manto had created, ensuring the audience would experience more than just a story; they would be part of an epochal journey.
Since its inaugural show in Mumbai in 2023, the production ‘Jaam-e-Shahadat’ has captivated audiences across various cities, including Bengaluru, Dharwad, Mysore, Ahmedabad, and Shimla. Each performance sees subtle refinements in the script, adding layers to its nuanced delivery. Now, after a successful stint in Hyderabad, the troupe is set to journey onwards to Pune, where the play will continue its run, enlightening and entertaining audiences yet anew.
Reflective of its dark humor and historical undercurrents, ‘Jaam-e-Shahadat’ was met with both laughter and introspection, as it held up a mirror to the fragmented souls of a time gone by, resonating with the perplexities of today. The Bombay Theatre Group offered this experience to theater-goers at a modest price of ₹200 per ticket, making the profound accessible to all who were drawn by the allure of Manto’s narrative and the promise of theatric mastery.
This particular play stands as a testament to the endurance of classic literature and the ability to adapt, address, and appreciate the shared history of a subcontinent that reverberates through generations. As the curtains fell, so ended another chapter in the storied existence of ‘Jaam-e-Shahadat’, yet its message and the potent blend of satire and solemnity continue to provoke thought and conversation long after the applause subsides.
