InfoAnda - Violence down, curtain up for Kashmir theatre

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Protesters say NATO attack killed Afghan civilians | 14 May 2010
Singer Sandro, the 'Argentine Elvis,' dies at 64 | 5 January 2010
Patriots wideout Julian Edelman faces indecent assault charge | 2 November 2011

Road rage goes virtual on Aussie motoring website | 25 March 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Violence down, curtain up for Kashmir theatre

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Violence down, curtain up for Kashmir theatre AFP - 1 hour 4 minutes ago SRINAGAR, India (AFP) - - Theatre is undergoing a revival in Indian Kashmir where the most popular plays these days deal with the gritty reality of the violence that has blighted the troubled region for decades. ADVERTISEMENT More than a dozen theatre clubs from various towns have started operating in summer capital Srinagar, many staging new plays about the hardship of daily life. Srinagar's only theatre, Tagore Hall -- which was closed when violence broke out in 1989 and used as a security forces' base -- is presently showing seven different plays during the week, all by renowned writers. Playwrights and actors say the revival is thanks to a lull in violence since India and Pakistan, who have fought two wars over control the scenic Himalayan region, launched a peace process in 2004. "The relative calm has definitely helped in the revival," said actor Shabir Hakak, 37, who has been performing to packed audiences at the Tagore Theatre in "April Fool" -- which focuses on politics and the environment. Kashmiri playwright and director Amin Bhat, 44, said the popularity of heavyweight plots over romance was a "reflection of events taking place". "How can we detach ourselves from day-to-day happenings? It comes through in our writings," said Bhat, whose hard-hitting play "White Paper" won him wide praise and huge audiences. "White Paper" touches on the sensitive issue of disappearances and custodial killings which have characterised the troubles. Police say more than 300 people have died in custody, and at least 100 have disappeared after being arrested since the insurgency against India rule erupted in the Muslim-majority region nearly 20 years ago. They say many of the missing crossed over the line of control that divides Kashmir between India and Pakistan to join insurgents. Local human rights groups however offer figures much higher, with the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) saying that 8,000 people have vanished, most of them after being arrested by Indian security forces. The drawn-out insurgency against New Delhi's rule here has affected almost every household in Kashmir -- and Bhat is no exception. "I have felt the pain of violence and the stage is the place to give vent to my feelings," said Bhat, whose younger brother bled to death after a grenade attack two years ago. "The stage is a refined form of protest and it helps to debate an issue. I am glad the plays are back and the response has been fantastic." The violence has left more than 47,000 people dead by official count, though rights groups put the toll at 70,000 dead and disappeared. Bhat's play "April Fool" explores political issues surrounding the famous tourist destination of Dal lake, tackling corruption at the highest levels of government and the authorities' failure to protect the lake. The farce, which drew huge crowds during its run last month, revolves around rumours of government plans to fill in the lake and build houses on the land. Ayash Arif, 48, is another writer-director of the new wave of Kashmir theatre whose latest production tells of a sculptor who is forced to give up his art and carve tombstones for the victims of the violence. "These topics are very dear to us and they touch the psyche of every Kashmiri," said Arif. "I could do justice to them as I have seen the turbulence myself," said Arif. "Our plays hold a mirror to what has happened and the present situation." It is all very different to before the insurgency, when theatres staged saccharine boy-meets-girl storylines that helped people forget about the horror outside the theatre doors. Now the mood is calmer, theatre-goers says they are simply delighted to back in their seats. "My favourite form of entertainment has returned. You will see me here more often now," said Nazir Ahmed after enjoying an evening at Tagore Hall. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article 0 users recommend Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle Violence down, curtain up for Kashmir theatreAFP - 1 hour 4 minutes ago Circus cats play guitar, tap bells, ride skateboardAFP - 1 hour 7 minutes ago 'Housewives' cast gathers to bid Sheridan adieuAP - 1 hour 30 minutes ago Battling the anti-celluloid tide in SyriaAFP - 2 hours 12 minutes ago Decades after the MGs, Booker T takes center stageAP - Sunday, April 19 Enlarge Photo Theatre is undergoing a revival in Indian Kashmir where the most popular plays these days deal with the gritty reality of the violence that has blighted the troubled region for decades. Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed Mummies found in ancient Egypt burial chamber 'Dracula bandit' gets 20-yr jail sentence Police nab Norwegian pair during high-speed sex Ailing Citigroup returns to profit after heavy losses Britain's MI5 seeking real 'Q' View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Sunday, 19 April 2009
NATO frees pirate hostages, Belgian ship seized | International |
Iran jails U.S.-Iranian reporter for 8 years | International |
Suicide car-bomber kills 27 in Pakistan | International |
ETA military chief arrested in France: Spanish source | International |
Mugabe, Tsvangirai show rare unity in ceremony | International |
Thousands protest widening Turkish coup plot probe | International |
Iran says its military might help regional security | International |
Opposition attacks ANC in last rallies before vote | International |
Afghan quake survivors struggling without aid | International |
Pirate Bay's fileshare four get year in jail | Technology |
Bai Ling cranks up moonstruck life for High Voltage | Entertainment |
Three dead in suspected US strike in Pakistan
Afghan army grapples with shortages
Shells hit Baghdad's Green Zone after 3-month lull
U.S. drone hits militant camp in Pakistan | International |
New-look auto sector could emerge from crisis
Iran jails U.S.-Iranian reporter for 8 years
US vastly expands its DNA databases
Palestinian teen killed by Israeli troops
Eight killed in Mexico in foiled drug gang rescue | International |
France, Spanish police arrest ETA chief, 8 others
U.S. and Venezuela work to mend ties | International |
Thousands protest widening Turkish coup plot probe
Obama to convene cabinet to cut govt spending
U.S. will boycott U.N. conference on racism | International |
Israel primed to strike Iran nuclear sites: report
Thai emergency rule to stay for now: PM | International |
China PM Wen reassures over economy
Iran urges regional peace on Army Day
Palestinian driver injures two Israeli policemen
U.S. says watching China's naval expansion closely | International |
Turkey pledges to help train Somali armed forces
China extends help to Hong Kong during economic crisis | International |
Congress considers major global warming measure
Iran jails US reporter for eight years
US-TECH Summary
US family of 5 killed in apparent murder-suicide
Samsung display unit sees robust smartphone growth | Technology |
US 'will not join' anti-racism conference
Venezuela's Chavez to restore ambassador in US
US to boycott United Nations racism meeting
British watchdog wants post-G20 debate on policing
Obama disappointed by reporter's Iran sentencing
Lawyer: Iran convicts US journalist of spying
France arrests top ETA leader: Spanish radio
Senator says spy case `miscarriage of justice'
Royal apologises again for Sarkozy comments
G8, G5 farm ministers meet on food crisis
London police face new G20 protest claim
Belgian ship seized as Dutch thwart pirate attack
Pope to visit quake-hit L'Aquila
2 Koreas to hold first dialogue in a year
Suspected US missiles kill 3 in NW Pakistan
Thai PM says emergency rule to stay for now
Madonna suffers minor injuries in fall from horse | Entertainment |
15 suspicious deaths in China jails in 2009 alone
Moderate quake rattles China's northwest
Thai PM calls for calm after unrest
Sri Lanka: More than 2,800 flee war zone
Vietnam top official on Japan visit
Australia joins UN racism conference boycott
Macau casinos' luck begins to turn
SKorean ex-leader's aide arrested over corruption
Asian carriers shaken by plunge in premium travel
US admiral hails China anti-piracy cooperation
Hobbled US giants face China carmakers in Shanghai
Shanghai auto expo: showdown for global automakers
S.Korea March start-up/failure ratio at 8-mth high
Russia's ruling duo fete Orthodox Easter
Jackie Chan's China comments prompt backlash
Violence down, curtain up for Kashmir theatre
Circus cats play guitar, tap bells, ride skateboard
Israeli settlers claim Golan Heights 'forever'
'Housewives' cast gathers to bid Sheridan adieu
Battling the anti-celluloid tide in Syria
Eleven confirmed dead in Indonesia plane crash
French 'wine terrorists' take aim at foreign imports
Decades after the MGs, Booker T takes center stage
Buraka Som Sistema gets Coachella crowd jumping
NATO forces foil attack on Norwegian tanker | International |
Iraq parliament gets speaker after months of discord
Australia, Netherlands join U.N. race meeting boycott | International |
Pakistan must do more to fight Taliban: U.S. commander | International |
Taliban militants kill five policemen: official
Afghanistan eyes doubling police force | International |
Germany's Infineon needs state guarantees
UAE arrests suspect in Lebanon's Hariri murder: report | International |
Boeing, Dassault and Saab court Brazil plane deal
Two Koreas to meet on industrial park amid tension | International |
Iraq parliament gets speaker after months of discord | International |
Military leader and other ETA suspects arrested | International |
Jobs, crime keep South African expats away from home | International |
End of Cuba embargo 'way down the road'
Eyeing diners, restaurants take to Twitter
Eyeing diners, restaurants take to Twitter | Technology |
Joint operation thwarted new ETA attack: Spain
Norwegian tanker hijack bid foiled in Gulf of Aden
Boredom, hunger and fear for pirates' hostages
Sri Lanka: 17 rebels dead in clashes to clear road
China to build new panda breeding center
Pakistan: Suspected US missiles kill 3, wound 5
N.Korea renews threat to 'bolster nuclear deterrent'
Indonesia, Australia to cooperate on migrants
2 Koreas to hold first dialogue in a year
South Korean president calls for end of corruption
SKorea accepts North's rare talks offer
Philippines worried about ailing Italian hostage
Jackie Chan's China comments prompt backlash
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01