Theatre as Wound, Theatre as Witness: Bond and Ali Across Cultures by Muhammad Adnan Gujjar

 

THEATRE AS WOUND, THEATRE AS WITNESS: BOND AND ALI ACROSS CULTURES

 

Edward Bond also talks about the concept of repetition in modern text. Repetition is also necessary element in modern texts of drama. He expresses: “That is why in modern text situation are repeated and developed- Why one speech is repeated, modified, extended, passed from character to character –as the situation becomes more precise, close to total situation. So patterns of developing imagery become important. Contrasts become important. Combinations become important, the uses of grammatical tenses and changes in them become important: because the worlds are in struggle, shaking each other hiding in each other, driving each other”(2000, p. 14).

This suggests the idea of repetition in modern text of drama where different situation are repeated thoroughly throughout in modern texts of modern drama. Bond considers it the obligatory component of the drama. Many acts and dialogues are repeated the play The Guilt.

The act of dance by female dancer is repeated towards the end of first two acts. So, the female dancer appears on the stage two times. Each time she repeats the same action with the same images on the stage.  Moreover, Gamma repeatedly keeps on typing and tearing the pages throughout the play. It shows his obsession with creative work of art. He is unable to finish his story and tears off the pages in frustration. The characters use the abusive language repeatedly in the play. It elucidates their inner frustration and violence.

Theatreof event has the concept of rationality and logic.  In it, the events are enacted and presented on the stage to give a clear picture of society. As bond refers it. “The center of the drama is logic, the logic of imagination. Logic turns effect into events. A theatre of events is the conscious use of theatrical drama to illustrate the center.(2000, p. 17). 

 In the play The Guilt all of the events are logically embodied. The happening of blasphemy is reported in the play. As gamma says:

Gamma: The story misses a character, Billa. (He stands up and switches on the television.) 

(The music for the breaking news. The sound of rain. Shera wakes up and sits in a hunching position.) Newscaster: three hundred Christians are burned alive for committing blasphemy. According to reports, the blasphemy was committed by a child who was nearly ten years old. People could not contain their anger. (2014, p. 45)

These lines elaborate the practices of society. It shows the atrocities done in Pakistani culture. This event is logically linked with the story of the play. TE has different parts which are deployed in the play. These parts are events, centre use and event not effect. The centre of stage is also used effectively by the dramatist in the play. The playwright has built the connection between the events performed on the stage and audience.

Edward Bond has given the theoretical concept of self-site. Here the self means the dramatist. He called the playwright consumer. According to Bond, the dramatist is also involved in the story of the play. The Guilt (2014) reflects the inner thoughts of the dramatist. The characters are infect the voice of dramatist in the end of the play the poem unmasks the thoughts of the writer. As it is stated that:

Art is cruel

            It feeds on the misery of

Shines on the erased graves

Weaves its images through the veins

Of the torn flesh, slices the flesh in to stanzas

Cuts the heart in to lines, peels the skin in the meter,

Yes, Art is cruel.(2014, p. 61)

These lines depict the worries of the artiest in the play. Apparently, these are connected with the lives of the artiest in the play but inwardly it shows the anxiety of the writer. He is obsessed with the creative of art. It shows the mental makeup of the writer.

A play represents a community. It posturizes the social norms and values of a society. It is connected with the community. The Guilt (2014) presents a crystal clear picture of Pakistani community. This idea of community is linked with consciousness and the writer’s self-consciousness as Bond says

We exist in time the self-conscious mind must also imagine. Conscious has a moment, self-conscious has time. Self-conscious creates future and so a sense of morality. Imagination is the knowledge by time we live and die. Imagination enables us to live self-consciously in the world but also distort its reality to meet our desire to live, survive and prosper and our need for justice.(2000, p. 15)

Itis the self-consciousness of the writer which creates a world in the play. The community is reflected in the play. The play clearly depicts the fears and sufferings of the people living in this community as it is stated in the play.

Shera:  (He glances towards the window on the left.) it is still dark outside, Gamma.

Gamma: (He stops writing and also looks at the window.) clouds. Wind. Perhaps a drop of rain? Who knows?

Shera: Rain! (Looking at the sky through the window) No. Do not come down, please! Respect my show.

Gamma: The show must go on. Is that it? (2000, p. 6)

These lines show the fears of artists living in a particular community. The artists are worried about their performances and work. They are not facilitated well. They are suffering due to weather. However, Shera is pleading for respect from nature because his work is not respected by the people of Pakistani community. In fact the drama mirrors the community through characters, setting, action and language of the characters.

Bond is of the view that theatre is social structured as it represents the community. It is designed according to the costumes of society. Bond Conceives Theatre as

Theatre is a social structure invented in order to do precisely: describe in a way that may be experienced the relationship between the worlds. This is so clearly that happens in Greek Theatre and in all good theatre that has followed.(2000, p. 28)

It shows that theatre is the representation of social norms, values and traditions which run through the different worlds. Bond also refers Greek theatre that theses worldly experiences were present in the past in Greek era. The setting of the play confirms the idea of theatre as social structure.

It is three o’clock late at night. Centre stage left is a table and chair. There is a typewriter on the table with pages scattered around it. A filled jar of coffee is near the typewriter. On the right side of the typewriter, there is a cup and an ashtray. The table is covered with ash and dust. A green lead pencil is lying behind the typewriter. To the right of the table, there is a small sofa with a small table in front of it. (2014, p. 1)

The setting depicts the structure of the play that is linked with structure of the society.  The setting reveals the life style of the characters in the play. These characters are stereotypical representation of ordinary people in Pakistan. The images of typewriter, cup, ashtray, pencil and jar candidly expose the habits of the characters. All these items on the stage elucidate the idea of a common man’s life in Pakistan.

Edward Bond views that purpose of drama is to highlight the social vices in order to correct them. It should present a realistic picture rather than a wholly fantastic story. The drama should create awareness among the common masses about social evils and their correction. The dramatist seeks for social change through his creative work of art. Bond comprehends:

Theatre wants audience and so it should sell lies. There are two reasons why it should not-one is that people are not fish and they fundamentally want to know their situation. Another is, Play should deal with important matters and so writers should not lie about them. If we cannot tell the truth in theatres we should leave them (2000, p. 28)

It shows the function of theatre and drama. The basic purpose of the theatre is to create   awareness among the audience. This awareness is about the contemporaries’ issues of contemporary times. The Guilt (2014) realistically presents the social picture of Pakistan. It sheds light on the societal norms and social practices of contemporary Pakistan as the downfall of art and theatre is shown in the play.Moreover, the acts of bloodshed and terrorism are also reported on the stage through the medium of TV.

(Blue light. The brief sound of flute playing. The thin and lean female dancer, takes off the white sheet, folds it slowly and puts it down, throughout the dance, a loop of light falling from the top surrounds the dancer. She moves towards the centre of the stage. The drumbeating begins. The sound and peace of the drumbeating is slow. The drumbeating ends as the dancer takes five quicks spins with arms and hands straight towards the sky, with fingers pointed like arrows towards the sky.(2014, pp. 22,23)

These lines show the picture of a female dancer on the stage. It tells that the stages are designed for vulgar dances that can only burden the soul. Stage is meant for entertainment and lesson but in Pakistan it is corrupted. This is the cause of corruption and vices in Pakistan. The dance of female character on the stage throws light upon the fact of social vices prevailing in Pakistan. It means that the theatrical performances are corrupted through such acts and these acts are polluting the soul of people. These acts are harming the moral fibre of people the dramatist wants to create awareness among common masses through the depiction of this kind of dance.

Bond views about the compact and précised play. He condemns the detailed descriptions. It should be precise and it should be comprehensible for the audience as he conceives about the drama that “I am map of the world- and I must be precise”.(2000, p. 30) It shows that drama should be precise and compact in its length and degree.

The Guilt(2014) is a compact and précised work of art. It is comprised on three acts and each act is short and compact. Likewise Shahid Nadeem’s Black is my Robe(Aug 26, 2008)is also a compact and précised work of art. The playwright through this short play clearly depicts the picture of Pakistani society. It is the beauty of Ali’s play that it shows a lot through precision.  We do not find the long speeches of the characters in the play rather they speak very precisely.

According to bond, language is very significant. It plays the vital rule as it is connected with a community and its people. The writer through the language seeks for justice in the play. The characters of The Guilt(2014) use abusive language which accelerates their anxiety and violence. They have become violent because they have faced violence. They are treated violently that is why they are treating each other violently on the stage.

Shera; Hello! Dog. (Short pause) how are you? She-male?

Billa: I am fine donkey.

Shera: ( Shera runs around the sofa while Billa cries at him.) Do not run. Your trousers will fall down. (Shera stops running and Gamma laughs.)

Billa: (holding the scarf again wound around the neck of Shera) Come, come, old bear.

Shera: Ok! Young monkey.(2014) (p 18)

These lines show the significance language used by characters of The Guilt (2014). They are abusing each other. Their abusive language is an epitome of Pakistani society. Their language unmasks their psychic pressure as well as the unjust behavior of Pakistani society. Moreover, it also highlights the social practices of Pakistan where a father is not respected by children. They are laughing at each other. They are humiliating and making fun of each other through the use of abusive language.

Edward Bond in Social Madness in The Hidden Plot Notes on theatre and State (2000).  describes the causes of social madness in the society. In social madness Bond feels “People go clinically mad when they cannot create a practically working relationship to society to reality. Instead they create a society of their own. They go mad in order to find sanity.” (2000, p. 87) In fact madness is tool to protect sanity. It helps to survive in the society. Towards the end of play, Shera and Billa act clinically mad. As it is stated

Gamma! (Gamma rushes towards him and holds the other corner of the upper layer of his left hand and slowly begins to fold the upper layer of stage towards the down stage. The sound of rain. Now, Shera yells at Billa.) Billa! (Billa moves, holds the center of the layer with his hands and they all begin to fold it slowly. The draped body of the sleeping dancer is also folded in the layer of stage. They continue to fold the layer of stage. The sound of the opening and closing steel gates. They continue to fold the layer till they reach the edge of upstage. They put one hand on the folded layer and stare back at the audience. All sounds become still. Loud sounds of the eagle flying in the air. Silence.)(2014, p. 64)

Towards the end of the play the characters fold the layer of the stage.  It suggests the idea of intrinsic psychic pressure. They find difficult to survive in the society. They act cynically mad in order to protect their sanity.

 

Biography

Muhammad Adnan Gujjar is a full-time lecturer in the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of Chenab, Gujrat. He is a poet, columnist, and the founder of a literary magazine, The Wordsmith E-Magazine. Currently, he is working on the 5^th edition of the magazine.

 

The Word 'You' by Awila Parvin

The Word 'You'

It is you, not easy to read,
Many words are cultivated.
With the word 'You' and songs are composed,
And with many prisoners history is made.
Many people are brought for autopsy who are dead,
It is 'You' not easy to read.
In you there created cloud, rain, roar and storm,
Also flood, loves home, crops in some form.
Besides you, became a great space,
Is it easy, to read in your case?
Yet knowing and understanding all,
I wanna read you after all.
I want you to be main subject,
For colleges in the syllabus,
Both you and I will be an aspect.
And make a wonderful universe.

Biography

Awlia Parvin sheuli was born at Shuhaly Village under Khetlal Upazila in the district of Joypurhat. She is the inhabitant of Sundarganj upazilla, Gaibandha in connection of marriage.
Her grandfather was a Head teacher of Shibpur government primary school. Her father passed B.A exam from Bogura Shah Sultan Govt. College and her mother passed S.S.C exam from Gupinath High School, Dupchachia, Bogura.

Awlia obtained her M.A in Philosophy from Carmichael Govt College, Rangpur and Bachelor of physical Education from BPED College Bogura. Besides she obtained Dhaka University in case Management from department of Education and counselling Psychology and Department in Social service from institutional management and training on "fine Arts, Dance and Nattototto from Shilpokola Academy.

At the age of eleven her first poem "Lekhapora" is published with "Ghagot newspaper. She writes regularly in the magazine of Kanamachi,Moumachi.

A part from, she is a member of "Dhaka shahitta parishad" and "frinds of Humanity Bangladesh. She is also working as member of kanamachi, Meghduth, Banglaesh Shishu Shahitta Forum and Bangladesh Nari Lekhok Society,Dhaka.
She is awarded as a novelist from Shahitto Digonto' purosker and ", Friend of Humanity Bangladesh is social services and Literature from Nepal-Bangladesh friendship award.
She began her writings under the inspiration of her grandfather and father.

At present she is working as physical instructor on Sheikh Rasel child training and Rehabilitation centre under the ministry of social welfare.

I Envy by Brixhilda Dede

 

I Envy

When the autumn leaves break,

fall from the branches into the vait.

Suddenly I get a chest pain, just like

melancholy.

The bareness of autumn trees,

Blue sky observes your eyes.

Your absence hurts and hurts..

Like a bone clearing on the wet.

Thinking becomes exhausting,

like wind or storm.

Merged with the golden ones hair,

under the emerald' s necklace,

Oh, I envy that idea.

The wind when it touches you.

Biography

Brixhilda Dede was born in Korça (Albania) but currently lives in Thessaloniki, Greece.
She is the author of four books.

Recently, she will be presented to the readers with her new novel "Feniks", which is currently being published Brixhilda Dede has completed her higher studies in food engineering, but she has had her passion for writing since she was young.

The beginnings of the writings hat she had were songs for children, and then the lyrics of Korça serenades followed.
She has written in many genres, but is especially devoted to prose and poetry.

When You Told Me That You Loved Me by Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh

 

When You Told Me That You Loved Me

The world will lose at least one word, one

expression

The night loses the meaning of night

It is the devoted burning of candles

I melt following its wax that lights my toes

And seeing outside darker and darker

A girl hides her face paved with broken bricks

A shadow of lonely soul runs over me scarily

A feeble kitty asks her mom for

breastfeeding in the reed

A bouquet of flowers has stopped breathing

on my hands

(Please let it breathe on the ground

Rather than being cut across the trunk for

romance)

Anyway, I am not as pellucid as a water drop

Do not put me higher than the petals

Somewhere in the forest of faith

Capturing the fellers

Let me reassure myself, let it grow green.

Your kisses sprinkle holy water on the

moonlight

I realize me indebted to the clouds not time

to light

Love takes a lot of breath in the universe

I just want to be as simple as insects

Love each other with the lyrics as lament

Making all whom not falling in love not to

disintegrate

Making darkness not to be thicker behind the

bright fire

Let blow out the candles and bury flowers in

a water vase!

I wish the world changes nothing when you

tell that you love me

So I lean on you and turn into a mint leaf...

Nguyễn

Thị

Translated from Vietnamese into English by

Nguyễn Thị Thùy Linh

Edited by Gjekë Marinaj

Biography

Nguyễn Thị Thùy Linh, born in 1991, is a poet and literary translator who now lives and works in Hai Phong city, Vietnam. She received her bachelor’s degree in economics from Hanoi National Economic University.

Her published works include the translated children’s story collection “The Twin Dolls to Earth” by Serbian writer Milutin Đuričković (Writers’ Association Publishing House, 2016), the translated poetry collection “The Wings of Darkness” by Saudi Arabian poet Raed Anis Al-Jishi (Writers’ Association Publishing House, 2018)… In addition, she has translated poems and short stories by various international authors, which have been introduced in Vietnamese literary newspapers and journals. Her poetry has been translated into many languages and featured in international literary journals and anthologies, such as “World Poetry Yearbook 2024” (Rubini Publishing, Cyprus), Anthology of Vietnam (Common Literature Period, India), “Asia Poetry Anthology” (Korea) and “Beneath the Shades of Time: Nameless Horizons” (GEER Publishing, Tirana), among others.

She was awarded “The Gold Moon of 6-8 poetry Prize,” the highest prize given by The Elder Newspaper and Website lucbat.com (co-organizer), under the auspices of Vietnamese Fatherland Front Central Committee and Buddhist Sangha of Vietnam. She won the second prize in a poetry contest awarded by “Văn nghệ quân đội” literary magazine for the years of 2015-2016. She has also received international certificates and commendations for her contributions to literature and inspiring works, awarded by SINDH COURIER Magazine (Pakistan), Wordsmith International Editorial, the Academy of International Culture and Literature, and others.

 

Deviruma Priyatama by Muhammad Shamsul Huq Babu

 

Deviruma Priyatama

Thirty spring days have passed, yet I have not seen your beloved, magical face,

Where the familiar and unfamiliar beloved happiness of my heart is hidden.

How many days and nights have passed,

walking in groups among the stars,

Debiruma Priyatama, come to my broken little nest, my nose.

How many flowers bloom in hope, in love, in love?
Only the flowers of mourning of fallen leaves grow on my forehead.
Is the sight of a firefly shining in the light of the full moon written on my fate line,
Yet again and again, in the beauty of the desert, in the dew-soaked glow, who dreams?
You were my pursuit, flashing in the world, forgotten in the world?
All those events of mine will be written in the history of time.
Come and see me once, love me?
Nature will smile, the sky will cry, the birds will sing and rejoice.
I am waiting for hundreds of thousands of sorrows in the heart of the earth, extend your dear hand, a moment before death.
I will see you for the last time, wounded by my anger and passion.
If no one sees the waves of the river and the ocean in the apathetic fire wind, how can anyone understand?
The mountain springs dry up, yet they are tied to the arm.
When I sit in the desert, sitting quietly on the pole, and hear the sound of wailing?
I think of you alone and weave words in poetry.
In that thought torn apart by consciousness and pain, you are only you.
A scorched body of three and a half hands of soil scattered around.
Having tied a garland of prostrations, I went and left you like today.
People will say that you have become a hundred Indus in the world from a single point.

Biography

Muhammad Shamsul Huq Babu, born in Old Dhaka in 1972. He is a journalist, writer and researcher. President - Writers Publishers Editors Coalition. President - World Wide Writers Association. Chief Advisor - Nobo Sahittya Prokashoni. Publisher - International Publishing House. Advisor - English newspaper "The Daily Global Nation". Chairman - Literature Housing and Business Management LTD Company. About 40 individual books, more than two hundred joint books.

A Poem by Helen Pletts

 

A Peom

King and Queen on a Lily,

All our white cups brimming,

Sweetly-chiming at once.

We are languishing, beautiful,

in the simple bells.

Inconsequential doves,

Deep in the feather-soft,

Of the petals curve,

Even our feet and beaks curl.

One of us dresses in ruby.

One of us is pale and sleepy.

Although awake, the red blush,

Does not rush us. Time sits still,

Beside us, upright on a green stalk.

Biography

Helen Pletts is a British poet based in Cambridge, whose work has been translated into Chinese, Bangla, Greek, Vietnamese, Serbian, Korean, Arabic, and Italian. She is the English co-translator of Chinese poet Ma Yongbo.

Eternal Journey by Pamie Sandhu

 

Eternal Journey

I've woven the fabric of my life with joys and sorrows
The moments enjoyed making memories
Not looking for the lust of riches
But spending it worth for good deeds
Aging gracefully through each passing day
Reaching towards the final goals
Rejuvenating through the eternal journey so beautiful
Living in the tassels of time
Dust we are and to dust we shall return
Some dreams completed and some yet to be
Life's unending years still await
Oscillated between past and future
The truth remains that life and death walk hand in hand
Life will deceive one day for sure death will never
To live forever is not our decision
Final goodbyes are God's will.
Copyright: Parvinder Nagi

Biography

Parvinder is born and raised in the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya, East Africa.
Parvinder has dedicated her career shaping the minds of future generations as a Principal from distinguished senior secondary schools in India. Parvinder is a national award winner from NCERT, New Delhi, for making the teaching and learning process more easier through the classroom aids for both the teachers and pupils. Parvinder's poetic journey begins with a great inspiration from her visit to the museum and Dove cottage a residence of vulnerable poet William Wordsworth in Grasmere, Lake District, UK.

Her passion for poetry found recognition when she was bestowed with the prestigious accolades in a national poetry contest orchestrated among a gathering of over 2000 poets from across India at the

national level

She is the recipient of many literary awards in poetry. She has done collaborative poems with the global noble poets. Her poems are reviewed by some eminent critics in literature world.

She's an author of “UNFATHOMED SECRETS”, a collection of 100 poems.
Her poems are also translated in various languages ​​and are music of the heart that express different aspects of life, conjure up emotions from happiness to sadness using different styles and themes giving pleasure to the readers.