Call to freedom
Mumbai celebrates cross-border dosti in honour of slain human rights activist Sabeen Mahmud’s spirit.
On April 24, Sabeen Mahmud was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while returning home from a seminar on Balochistan at The Second Floor (T2F), a space she founded in Karachi in 2006 as a platform to promote discussions, poetry readings and theatre.
The death stunned people across the globe, including those at Asia Society, which had close ties with Mahmud, who was part of their Asia 21 India-Pakistan Young Leaders network. “It was truly shocking. It could have happened to anyone expressing themselves,” says Bunty Chand, Executive Director, Asia Society India. “Because of the Asia Society connection, journalists like Chintan Girish Modi reached out to us, hoping to show solidarity with those across the border. It became an organic community event,” she adds.
Sitara Studio in Dadar, where the event is scheduled, will serve as extension of T2F. Creative expression is clearly at the forefront as documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, celebrated for his socio-political films, will deliver a talk on freedom of expression, while stand-up comedian Varun Grover, known for his show Aisi Taisi Democracy, will comment on politics in India. Danish Husain, reviver of dastangoi or the ancient art of Urdu storytelling, is also expected. Sheena Khalid and Puja Sarup from the Patchwork Ensemble, who recently presented the gender-questioning play, Ila, will read from Tamil author Perumal Murugan’s controversial works. The evening will see Pakistani TV journalist and documentary filmmaker Munizae Jahangir speak, via Skype, about the Asia 21 India-Pakistan Young Leaders initiative, of which she is a part.
At Sitara Studio, Dadar at 7.30 pm.
Entry: Free. Register on asiasocietyindiacentre@ asiasociety.org
On April 24, Sabeen Mahmud was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while returning home from a seminar on Balochistan at The Second Floor (T2F), a space she founded in Karachi in 2006 as a platform to promote discussions, poetry readings and theatre.
The death stunned people across the globe, including those at Asia Society, which had close ties with Mahmud, who was part of their Asia 21 India-Pakistan Young Leaders network. “It was truly shocking. It could have happened to anyone expressing themselves,” says Bunty Chand, Executive Director, Asia Society India. “Because of the Asia Society connection, journalists like Chintan Girish Modi reached out to us, hoping to show solidarity with those across the border. It became an organic community event,” she adds.
Celebrating Dosti and Democracy is a celebration, not mourning, Chand insists. “The newer generations in India and Pakistan share a different cross-border relation, hence the emphasis on dosti.” she says. “Sabeen was always at the intersection of politics, arts and culture, and this event will be much in that spirit.”
Sitara Studio in Dadar, where the event is scheduled, will serve as extension of T2F. Creative expression is clearly at the forefront as documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, celebrated for his socio-political films, will deliver a talk on freedom of expression, while stand-up comedian Varun Grover, known for his show Aisi Taisi Democracy, will comment on politics in India. Danish Husain, reviver of dastangoi or the ancient art of Urdu storytelling, is also expected. Sheena Khalid and Puja Sarup from the Patchwork Ensemble, who recently presented the gender-questioning play, Ila, will read from Tamil author Perumal Murugan’s controversial works. The evening will see Pakistani TV journalist and documentary filmmaker Munizae Jahangir speak, via Skype, about the Asia 21 India-Pakistan Young Leaders initiative, of which she is a part.
At Sitara Studio, Dadar at 7.30 pm.
Entry: Free. Register on asiasocietyindiacentre@ asiasociety.org
