Manto continues to be relevant: Playwright Neelam Mansingh

New Delhi, Sep 12 (PTI) Iconic Urdu writer Sadat HasanManto once said, "It is possible that Saadat Hasan dies, butManto remains alive." The master storyteller was not far from the truth as hisstories continue to find resonance with artists on both sidesof the border. Chandigarh-based playwright Neelam Mansingh, who hasvisited Manto’s work in the past, once again turned to theauthor for her latest play "Naked Voices", which was staged atNational School of Drama here. The play, Mansingh, says highlights pressing issues likediscrimination against women, migration and turmoil that itbrings to families through the timelessness of the Urduwriter’s prose. According to the director, Manto’s works which were pennedmore than half a century ago, continue to hold relevance eventoday. "I believe Manto is not dated. There is a very timelessquality to his narrative. He was relevant to me then and isnow. And, I believe posterity will be a witness to hisrelevance," she told PTI. In her latest play, Mansingh has effortlessly weavedManto’s eloquence into a contemporary theme. "He is one of the greatest storytellers. His ‘Tamasha’about the horrors of Jallianwala Bagh seems equally relevanttoday. Also, it has a lot to do with migration, memory, loss,disruptions and how women become the ground on which politicsis played. "A play is a little glimpse into our lives. It gives avoice to the voiceless. What Manto went through for hiswritings is not a moral question to me. But, there arehouseholds where women are exploited and these are the kind ofrealities we are surrounded by," she says. However, as a theatre professional she feels the field isa challenging one, largely because it is devoid of glamour andmoney. "I think art is very difficult and it requiresdetermination to continue staying on in a profession wherethere is no infrastructure, money or glamour," says thePadmashri awardee. Although, the artist is sceptical about the future oftheatre in the country, she hopes that with more young talentcoming in, it may flourish in the future. "I have been in the profession for the last thirty yearsbut I am still dealing with limited finances and poorinfrastructure. "When you choose a career in theatre you must know whatthe challenges are. I think spaces are opening up with morefestivals happening," she says. PTI RJS TRSBK