ISLAMABAD, Jul 19 (APP):The spellbinding magic of Sufi romance returned to the stage as the classic Punjabi folk tale “Saif-ul-Mulook” was theatrically performed at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) late Friday.
The event, held in collaboration with Dolphin Communication, was not merely a performance but it was a celebration of Pakistan’s rich literary and spiritual heritage.
Directed by acclaimed writer and CEO of Dolphin Communication, Ms. Asma Butt, the play paid homage to the legendary work of Hazrat Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, whose poetic masterpiece has echoed through generations with its soulful verses, profound mysticism, and tale of eternal love.
The audience, comprising people from all walks of life including artists, intellectuals, writers, and students was transported into the mystical world of Prince Saif and Fairy Badi-ul-Jamal. Against the backdrop of poetic narration, the drama unfolded the timeless themes of divine love, sacrifice, and spiritual awakening-core elements of our folk tradition.
Member of the National Assembly Shazia Farid, who graced the occasion as chief guest, praised the production and Asma Butt’s creative direction. “Bringing Saif-ul-Mulook to the stage is not just storytelling but cultural preservation,” she remarked. “This play reflects the depth of our folklore and the emotional sensitivity of our artists. I congratulate the entire team for such a mesmerizing performance.”
Also present among the distinguished guests were Dr Waqar Azim, PNCA Program Organizer; Judge Raheel Yousafzai; Saeen Ejaz, Naveed Kanwal, Naeem Pasha, Shakeel Awan, Abid Abbasi, and others who expressed admiration for the revival of such meaningful content.
A vibrant ensemble of actors from Rawalpindi and Islamabad delivered compelling performances, including Kaleem Khan, Nirmal Ali, Arshad Khan, Shazia Adeeb, Jhalak Ali, Raiha Yousaf, Shama Adil, Afzal Latifi, Raheel Ejaz, Shabbir Shah, Aslam Mughal, Arshad Mehmood, Mehboob Ilyas, Muhammad Ali, Mumtaz Khan, Farooq Jani, Noor, and others.
A special moment that captivated the audience was Afzal Latifi’s soul-stirring rendition of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh’s verses, which filled the hall with a spiritual ambiance, drawing spontaneous applause. The play’s direction, set design, and traditional music created a deeply immersive experience, reminding the audience of the rich oral and poetic traditions of Punjab and Kashmir.
In her concluding remarks, Asma Butt said, “This production was a labor of love, and its success is the result of collective passion and teamwork. Our aim was not just to entertain, but to reconnect the audience with their roots, their language, and the beauty of their folk heritage.”
The play concluded to a standing ovation, with the hall echoing with applause and heartfelt tributes to the cast and crew.
The audience left not only entertained, but emotionally touched and spiritually enriched which is a true testimony to the enduring power of Pakistan’s cultural stories.
