People's Democracy

ON 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAFDAR’S MARTYRDOM

HUNDREDS of artists, intellectuals, political workers and concerned citizens from across Delhi gathered on Safdar Hashmi Marg on the New Year day to commemorate thirteenth anniversary of Safdar’s martyrdom. It is not unexpected that considering the war hysteria that has been created by the war mongers, this occasion was used to make a resolve to fight the hawks who wish to push this world into a destructive war.

Thirteen years ago renowned theatre artist and political activist Safdar Hashmi was attacked and killed in Jhandapur, a labour colony near Sahibabad when he was participating in a street play ‘Halla Bol’ organised by Jan Natya Manch.

It was natural that the whole programme of January 1st was impacted by the current mood of the people who are now determined to oppose war at all cost. Vivan Sundaram, the famous painter conceptualised the main pandal as a bunker. The floor, ceiling, and the walls of the pandal were all black and the light was dim. However in this dark background, poet Sahir Ludhianvi’s words from one of his poems: "Jang, jango ke falsafe ke khilaf; Amn pur amn zindagi ke liye" ( A war upon all words of war and strife; And peace be in the work of life) were brightly glowing. On the outer wall of this bunker type pandal , a collage of pictures in a long panel showed the horrors of war. Anyone could get an anti-war message registered on this panel in the space provided for this purpose.

The programme started with a street play "Khel" written by Gauhar Raza. The play wove in the folk tale of "Kabuliwallah" exposed several aspects of war and strengthened the anti-war resolve of the audience. It also highlighted the mutual dependence of India and Pakistan and exposed the machinations of the imperialism to push the two countries towards complete destruction. "Khel" cautioned the people that the US attempt to prevent India and Pakistan from engaging in war could be a mere façade. The play was directed by Dhruva Kumar Mishra and for most of the artists acting in the play it was a maiden attempt.

Dhananjay Kaul presented Sahir Ludhianvi’s poem "Khoon apna ho ya paraya ho, nasle admi ka khoon he akhir" ( Blood may be mine or someone else’s; In any case it is the blood of the human race). Subhendu Ghosh recited a poem composed by Ram Prasad Bismil which related to sacrifices made by the Indians during the freedom movement. Shubha Mudgal was superb in her performance. She recited a poem composed by Habib Jalib "Bagia Lahoo Luhan". Susmit Bose, Rahul Ram, Madangopal Singh Gauhar Raza and Vishnu Nagar also lent their voices to convey the anti-war sentiments.

Maya Rao presented a solo satire on the scam relating to the purchase of coffins for the Kargil martyrs. Aparna Sindhoor’s dance recital depicting Narmada Andolan related it to the people’s movement and the state’s repression.

On this occasion famous anti-war writers and activists like Achin Vinaik, Praful Bidwai and Geeta Hariharan in their lectures explained the implications of war for the people of the two countries. An important part of the proceedings was the formal release of the book "Communalisation of Education" edited by Prabhat Patnaik and anti-war posters designed by Ram Rahman. In addition to all these activities a symbolic exercise was undertaken to radiate the fragrance of peace. In a stall outside the pandal, "peace vaccine" was injected with the message that it would destroy the bacteria of war.

The proceedings lasted till late evening and the artists, intellectuals and concerned citizens left with a firm resolve to wage a determined struggle against all the forces which spread hatred and whip up war hysteria.