PESHAWAR: Shakespeare’s celebrated play ‘Macbeth’ translated in Pashto by late Qalandar Momand was staged at Edwardes College Peshawar where students, teachers, old Edwardians and a select-gathering of tasteful guests watched its opening day performance.

The play was staged under the auspices of English Dramatics Society (EDS) in old hall of Edwardes College.

Prof Nasir Iqbal, head of English department, in his brief remarks said that the play had been translated in Pashto in verse form in early 60s by renowned Pashto literary critic and poet Qalandar Momand. “Our society is still plagued by all ills prevalent in the era of the noted English bard,” he added.

Around 40 young Edwardians after hectic sessions of rehearsal spread over 40 days were enabled to stage the first-ever Pashto version of the play in 40 sub-scenes after 400 years of its first folio publication way back in 1623 while its Pashto verse form by Qalandar Momand came out towards end of 2023.

Around 40 students stage the play after hectic rehearsal

Prof Nasir said that complete Pashto version of the world class English play was picked up for stage presentation due to relevance of its vibrant content as its theme revolved around power struggle, over-ambitiousness and exploitation of remote religious whims.

The performers mesmerised the audience with their beautiful dialogue delivery, and perfect theatrical precision. Young Edwardians playing Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, King Duncan and Banquo included Pakhtunyar Sailab, Laiba Khan Yousafzai, Usama Nadeem and Maoz Khan performed the live theatre in a befitting manner.

Iazaul Haq, president of EDS, told this scribe that they would continue organising such live theatrical performances reclaiming its past glorious traditions on the campus.

Pakhtunyar Sailab, who played the protagonist, said that Pashto version of the play was perfect and engaging that he and his co-characters internalised Macbeth contents.

“I found the Pashto version of Macbeth originally authored and performed by world renowned English bard in early 17th century perfectly corresponding today’s conflict of power and pelf struggle. Shakespeare being true poet of human nature envisioned how lust and vested interested played havoc on one’s self-centered ego,” said Shazia Gul Khattak, a student of the college.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2024