Opening Event: "ISHQ" (THE PASSION)- A MUSICAL WITH A DIFFERENCE!

Thursday, 6 October 2022

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING ASG'S 49TH. ANNIVERSARY!

"Ishq"( The Passion)- the musical staged at the prestigious Saddlers Wells theatre in London- produced by Serendip Productions- is Pakistan’s first Anglo- Punjabi- Sufi musical based on the immortal legend of ‘Heer Ranjha’ one of the most famous Punjabi romantic tragedies in South Asian literature.

It predates Shakespeare’s era and is often claimed that the bard may have been inspired by the tale for his famous Romeo and Juliet!

In 2017…the musical celebrated 70 years of Pakistan’s independence and Pakistan / UK friendship by bringing together talent from both countries for an extravaganza of song and dance that ran to critical acclaim.

In a recap…the director Huma & Dr. Farooq Beg will take us back on a journey of how this mega premier musical was brought to the stage in a record time of three months!

Through behind the scenes scenarios, video clips, interviews and audience reactions the director gives us an insight into the trials and tribulations, the agony and ecstasy of working with and within two diverse cultures to create a show that is not just a love story, but also a powerful portrayal of women empowerment!

Established in 1997 by Huma Mustafa Beg and Dr. Farooq Beg- an International, award-winning producer & director duo...Serendip Productions is one of Pakistan's premier fully integrated Production & Media Communication Company based in Islamabad,

'ISHQ'

• Producer: Huma Beg
• Direction & lyrics: Dr. Farooq Beg
• Script: Mushfiq Murshed
• Music: Emu (Fusions band) & Ian Brandon
• Choreography: Suhaee Abro & Owen smith

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Heer Ranjha is part of the 'Qissa' genre of tragic love stories- as the plot involves a romance opposed by family members and ends with the two lovers dying. One of several popular tragic romances of Punjab, There are several poetic narrations of the story, the most famous being Heer by Waris Shah written in 1766 who stated that the story has a deeper meaning, referring to the unrelenting quest that man has towards God...

AS LEGEND GOES:

Heer, an extremely beautiful woman, belongs to a wealthy Rajput family & Ranjha, to the tribe of Jats. He is the youngest of four brothers and lives in the village of Takht Hazara by the river Chenab in Punjab. Being his father's favourite son, unlike his brothers who toil in the lands, he leads a life of ease, playing the flute.

In Waris Shah's version of the epic, after his father’s death-Ranjha leaves home because his brothers' wives refuse to pander to him.Eventually he arrives in Heer's village and falls in love with her. She -mesmerized by the way he plays his flute – reciprocates. They meet each other secretly until they are caught by Heer's uncle, the evil Kaido.. Heer is forced by her family to marry another man.

Ranjha heartbroken wanders the countryside alone, until eventually he meets a Jogi (ascetic), and becomes a Jogi himself, piercing his ears and renouncing the material world. While reciting the name of the Lord, he wanders all over Punjab, eventually finding the village where Heer now lives. Finally Heer's parents agree to their marriage…but alas- On the wedding day, Kaido poisons her food and she dies. Hearing this news, Ranjha rushes to her, but is too late. Brokenhearted, once again, he eats the remaining poisoned food and dies by her side. They are buried in Heer's hometown, Jhang.

Love-smitten couples and others often pay visits to their tomb to seek benediction...

Opening Event 2018-2019

Thursday, 4 October 2018

Concert: Khumariyaan – The Band ‘The Intoxication of Sound’

Opening Event 2017-2018

Thursday, 5 October 2017

The Magic and Power of Dance

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Sunday, 17 January 2016

Performed by Yasmeen Shaikh