Theatre

Founder of Baang Theatre Group (1990-2001)

"‘Interactive theatre is a powerful medium. It is trying to make a difference to the lives of people at a time when mainstream theatre has lost its soul to commercialism and anything remotely political seems of fashion"

Musadiq Sanwal on theatre, Cover Story , the Review, Dawn 2002

Musadiq Sanwal: A Theatrical Journey

Musadiq Sanwal’s journey in theatre began as a student National College of Arts Lahore, winning the Best Script award at the Lahore Arts Council Theatre Festival in 1986. He continued to work on political theatre at Lok Rehas Lahore led by Lakht Pasha and helped set up Seraiki Log Tamasha espousing progressive, social themes, Seraiki art revival. His participation as an international artist in the multi-cultural and multi-lingual Cry of Asia group enabled him to mature as a theatre director. In 1990 he founded the Baang Theatre after moving to Karachi , drawing in young talent, drawn from the city’s violence afflicted districts, including students, factory workers, and former APMSO activists, engaging with contemporary political and social issues through the medium of theatre.

Baang Theatre in their own words

“Baang began as an after-dinner pastime for us on the street corners of Shah Faisal Colony (known for curfew fame). The group comprises of actively unemployed youth, students, factory workers, and political activists in hibernation. The purpose was to learn through the theatre. Our aim remains to redefine the local urban culture with reference to native tradition in an increasingly rootless society.”

Marne Ke Baad Kya Hoga (1995)

Marne Ke Baad Kya Hoga (1995): Marking Baang Theatre’s return after a hiatus, this politically charged play directed by Musadiq Sanwal and written by Mohammad Hanif(link), captured the chaos of Karachi’s violence-ridden daily life in the 1990s, featuring resurrected corpses, the unjust deaths of ordinary citizens and an ineffectual administration encounters. The play also marked actress Nimra Bucha’s first debut in theatre

Kamra No.1801

Kamra No.1801 (2001): Directed by Musadiq Sanwal based on Allen Ayckourne’s “Communicating Doors” adaptation by Mohammed Hanif (link), the play touched on themes like euthanasia and time travel, and experimented with the concept of alternative endings.

Meenu Se Milne Ayee Kahani (1992)

Written and directed by Musadiq Sanwal for children this play exposing young minds to environmental issues in a tale of forest dwelling animals and polluting cities, commissioned by World Wide Fund(link), and CIDA

Changa Manga (1991)

Written and directed by Musadiq Sanwal, this play for children used jungle characters to depict social issues, with a tale of seizing power, revolt, uncovering the truth and restoring harmony.

Khwabon kay Shikari Jaago Bhee (1990)

Pieced together by Baang members from obscure urdu plays and directed by Musadiq Sanwal, a montage of characters personifying urban socio-political elements come together in a provocative theatrical comment described by Musadiq as an ‘absurd fable from our times’.

Collaborative Ventures

Musadiq Sanwal collaborated in Tehreek-e-Niswan’s epic play on India’s partition ‘Jinnay Lahore Naeen Vekhya’ – one of the hallmark was Sanwal’s live rendering of Nasir Kazmi’s nostalgic ghazals

“All musicians cant do theatre but Musadiq did both very well. When staging Jiney Lahore Naeen Vekhya (collaborative play of Tehreek e- Niswan with Baang on the partition of the subcontinent) Musadiq was composing and singing, too, which meant that after finishing designing the sets he had to run along to bathe and wash the paint off himself to come back and play as well as sing,”

Khalid Ahmed

Jis Ghari Raat Chale (1991)

Jis Ghari Raat Chale depicted harrowing real life experiences of mentally ill patients, challenged traditional psychiatric treatments that lacked empathy. Written by Musadiq Sanwal and produced with Tehrik-e-Niswan(link) with Pakistan Association of Mental Health. Musadiq spent three days in a mental asylum to gain the insight to write this play.

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Cry of Asia

Sanwal was one of the 10 international artists from Asia who came together for a multi-art play ‘Diablose’ and the musical ‘Ahurangi’ (Song of Heavens), performed in 16 countries across Europe, commencing at the Avignon in France.