Although I have watched this legendary drama many times, every time I see it, it deepens my understanding of human interaction and relationships. Every single time I see it, I feel a new taste in every line spoken, every emotion expressed, and every scene delivered and I can’t help but marvel at this sublime literary creation. Every element like sharpness in lines, richness in dialogs, amazing characterization, gripping events of story, superb acting and selection of background score make it a shining piece of not just Urdu drama; it may well be reckoned a masterpiece of literature comparable to any great novel or poetry.
It is not only the deep crispy lines that do the magic. It is the way, how intricately author develops the theme of love and interweaves it with the details of romance, trust, unrequited love and the love of family. Haseena Moin doesn’t stop here but also explores the interesting situation that arises when well-matured hatred collides with love. She questions if love comes naturally to everyone or do circumstances affect its origins? All these details unfold onscreen in lives of characters, which become so very personal to the viewer because of their interpretation being so close to real life.
When I was young I used to think why is the title of the play Dhoop Kinaray. But it is in fact very well selected. As life with all its adversities, tests, and calamities is as if a hot and long glare of sun i.e. dhoop. But it happens so, and is concluded so in this play, that it finds its edges (kinaray) in the shadow of love.
Love being the basic idea of the drama is explored through various angles. Ahmer fell in love while he had no expectation of it from himself and therefore he had trouble accepting it. However, eventually he received it. Zoya who was abundant in energy and courage fell in love with Ahmer confidently. On the other hand, Sheena an old friend of Ahmer’s, fancied him for long, but when Zoya came into picture, she was overcome by competition and bitterness. Competition took form of jealousy and instead of stepping back she sometimes also ignored the boundaries of friendship and did not accept the reality that hers was unrequited love. What had to happen; it happened and in sadness and disappointment she ended up making a decision about her life, which led to further tragedy for herself.
On the other front, Ahmer and Zoya had their challenges to deal with. Ahmer coming from a troubled past had lost his trust in all human relations. An orphan boy brought up by a loving professor (Baba) who when passed away, gave their house to his granddaughter. Although Baba’s action was a result of guilt he felt because of abandoning his daughter, caused immense despair in Ahmer.
Some people even though they love the drama, often ask themselves why was that house such a huge deal for the character, ‘Ahmer’. This question in-fact embodies the question that Haseena Moin asks about the origin of love; that is love for granted? Is it really just a belief of your heart or does it need a proof?
Ahmer who thought of their home as an anchor of his life and a safe heaven for all his emotions felt robbed of love and trust. He lost faith in the only relation he ever had in his life. This misery ingrained in him a violent hatred for whoever the granddaughter of baba was. On examination of Ahmer’s reaction towards the loss of his home, it is found that it was so aggressive because his sense of belonging, sense of family, sense of home and the understanding of paramount emotion of love did not come for granted. An event brought him to own the seemingly obvious blessings of family and then another made him to lose it all. His hurt found way in anger and hatred. It was the loss of faith in human relations and loss of the only source of love that made him cynical.
However, we see as the plot thickens that he acknowledged love and developed a connection with Zoya not knowing that she in fact is the granddaughter of his Baba. This part unfolded when Zoya, with Ahmer the buyer, was finalizing the sale of her house. When this was discovered, his long formed hatred came against his newly formed attachment and sadly he was again taken by hurt and abhorrence. Eventually after some engaging turn of events, his anger was shattered and he bought his house back.
Zoya who was a simple and confident girl was profoundly upset by this overcoming of love by hate. Her straightforward and self-assured nature made her confront Ahmer with her allegations on his personality. In a perplexed state, Ahmer decided to leave, not realizing that the control to give up hurt and cynicism and choose happiness still rested with him. After much annoyance and complications on his emotional front, Ahmer eventually made the right decision and stayed back to admit his love to baba’s granddaughter.
Apart from this central romantic story, there are numerous other interesting developments that keep the viewer not only hooked, rather invite them to watch the entire set of episodes again and again. It presents amazingly strong characters, and promotes a progressive image of our youth and working force in general.
The lively characters of Irfan, Zoya’s father, her caretaker and entire family of her best friend Anji provide an image of a normal social circle of a family of educated, open-minded background in our society.
Another underlying message that I think it conveys is the importance of harvesting confidence and courage in children. It promotes giving to youth the courage to speak the truth and face the world with their principles and morals so that they are able to stand up for themselves and make their own and right decisions. Zoya’s father says at an instant,
“Kids should be loved immensely, given confidence and trust, this way they don’t have complexes and dejections”.
This for me is the most significant point to take home from this romantic play. As a result of this upbringing we see a self-assured and secure character of Zoya. Ahmer had the same characteristics until he lost them along with his house, all of which he happily gains backand again because of love.
Written: October 2006.
Published @ raw.com.pk forums: November 5, 2006 http://www.raw.com.pk/forums/showthread.php?t=60
Published on blog: June 24, 2008
(c) 2008. Uzma Khan. All rights reserved.
I could only wish that we would have discovered you while our magazine was active. You have great writing skills.