Breaking Borders with Bhajans: Ramayana Staged in Karachi’s Arts Council

In a historic cultural moment, Ramayana, one of the most revered Hindu epics, was staged for the first time at the prestigious Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi. In a region often marred by political and religious divides, this performance stood out as a bold act of tolerance, inclusion, and artistic freedom — something that feels increasingly rare in the subcontinent.

While India, ironically, has recently been banning or erasing traces of anything associated with Pakistan or Islam — even removing the word “Pak” from product names — Pakistan responded with something truly unexpected: opening its arms to a story that belongs to the region’s shared heritage.

The play was directed and performed by an accomplished team including Rana Kazmi, Yogeshwar Karira, and graduates from the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA). Known for their powerful storytelling and thought-provoking productions, the team once again delivered a performance that stirred both emotion and admiration.

Not Just a Play, A Cultural Statement

Though the Ramayana is a well-known story, this staging was not about plot twists or surprises. It was about context. In a time when divisive narratives dominate headlines, this production was a gentle but firm statement — that Pakistan is confident enough in its own cultural identity to respect and celebrate the stories of others.

The hall at Arts Council was packed with people from all walks of life. As the story of Ram, Sita, Ravana, and Dashrath unfolded, the audience responded not just with applause, but with visible emotion — particularly during live bhajan performances that evoked a spiritual stillness rarely seen in modern theatre.

The Spiritual Heartbeat: Bhajans That Touched the Soul

Sitting gracefully to the side of the stage, Monica Ahmed performed devotional bhajans that cast a meditative spell over the crowd. Dressed in traditional attire, beside her harmonium and tabla, her voice carried an emotional weight that moved even the skeptics in the room. Her singing wasn’t just performance — it was connection.

From Ravana to AI: A Fusion of Tradition and Technology

The stage design utilized artificial intelligence-generated imagery to depict mythological settings, creating an immersive atmosphere. While some AI visuals carried the familiar flaw of exaggeration, they still succeeded in transporting the audience into a mystical world.

The performances were equally captivating. Sahib, as Raja Dashrath, brought regal sorrow to life, while Rana Kazmi‘s portrayal of Sita was powerful and graceful. The entire cast displayed impeccable command over Hindi diction, which added authenticity and respect to the source material.

International Reactions: Surprised and Divided

Interestingly, The Times of India also reported on the event, and the reaction was mixed — many readers expressed surprise that Pakistan would host such a production, while others criticized or questioned it. But that very surprise reflects how low expectations have become, and how meaningful this performance truly was.

A Confident Pakistan, Not Afraid to Respect Others

This staging of Ramayana wasn’t just about Hindu mythology — it was a statement of Pakistani confidence. The confidence to say: we can engage with other cultures without threatening our own. We can honor another faith’s story without compromising our own beliefs.

In a world growing more intolerant each day, this event reminded us of something essential — that art transcends borders, and that respect is a two-way street. As one spectator said, “This was not an Indian story or a Hindu story tonight — it was a human story, told beautifully in Karachi.”

It was also a quiet rebuke to those — both clerics and so-called liberals — who panic at the thought of art touching religion, or vice versa. Instead, the performance echoed the timeless words of poet Firaq Gorakhpuri:
“Woh dard jo Firaq ko muskara gaya bana gaya.”

More Ours Than Shakespeare

Perhaps the most powerful truth of the evening was that Ramayana — as a story born in this region — is more “ours” than any European tale. And the fact that it could be staged in the heart of Karachi, embraced with such grace and maturity, gives hope that Pakistan’s cultural journey is heading in the right direction.

This wasn’t just a play — it was a promise: That a tolerant, confident, and compassionate Pakistan is possible.