ISLAMABAD: A dramatic performance by Sheema Kermani and Tehrik-i-Niswan was held on Saturday, at the Pakistan National Council of Arts. The performance, a viewing of ‘Sherry’, a short story by Jamila Hashmi, was hosted by analyst Ayesha Siddiqa.

Ms Siddiqa, Hashmi’s daughter, said: “The purpose of the evening is not simply to pay a tribute to my mother, but to revive the lost literature of the country, to which my mother contributed significantly. There are numerous Urdu authors and poets whose works we no longer hear of, and who are no longer read, and it is important to reintroduce them to people.”

Fahmida Riaz, who introduced the performance alongside Kishwar Naheed, spoke about Hashmi’s style of writing, attention to detail and her ability to tackle difficult subjects set in bygone eras and recreate them for her readers. She quoted a compliment eminent Urdu writer Rajinder Singh Bedi had paid one of Hashmi’s novels, calling it a “mini-classic”.

“Jamila managed to convey in great depth the objective realities of the historical periods in which she set her stories. This was clearly a result of intensive research, but also a complex understanding of the dynamics of the period and places,” Ms Riaz said.

Ms Naheed spoke about her relationship with Hashmi and Ms Siddiqa, a friendship that began at the time of Ms Siddiqa’s birth and continues to date.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid, the minister of information and broadcasting, said: “I did not have the privilege of knowing Jamila Hashmi, but I have known and loved her work since the time I was a student in Matric.”

The short story ‘Sherry’ is the tale of a young woman seeking, rejecting, forcing and losing love in various ways and forms. The story was converted into a theatrical performance and depicted by Ms Kermani and her troupe with great effect.

Despite surprisingly little dance, the play captured the interest of the audience with the intensity of emotional conveyed by the lead character, played by Ms Kermani, who is a member of the Tehrik-i-Niswan group.

Tahira Abdullah, an activist, called the story “intriguing”. “Way ahead of its time – avant-garde, with part progressive, part traditional characters. Sheema Kermani’s superb visualisation and choreography was beautifully performed by Sheema and her Tehrik-i-Niswan associates. A touching little tale, with humour and pathos; a lovely mix of dance of drama.”

She added: “Jamila Hashmi would have been so proud of her daughter. This evening was a fitting tribute from Ayesha Siddiqa to her beloved mother.”

Manizeh Bano, the executive director at Sahil, said: “It would have been better if they had used more dance to demonstrate the emotions, especially love, since dance itself can express so many variations of love. That would have made it a stronger, more powerfully beautiful dramatisation of the play.”

Rubina Kidwai, another guest, said: “I think the best part of the evening for me was that I was exposed to a writer I had never heard of before. I was introduced to her work by people who clearly enjoyed it and understood it and I am included to go buy some of her books now. Hearing about her work impressed me.”

She added: “I really liked the play as well, but knowing that it was Sheema Kermani, I was expecting a lot more dance. Nevertheless, this was a different treatment of the story, and I did enjoy it.”

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2016