“A
feast for the eyes…… Serendip does it again”
After
the resounding success of the famous Rohtas Show,
which the President of Pakistan described, very proudly,
as one of the best sound and Light shows he had seen….
Serendip does it again. This time in the most happening
city of Lahore, which was already echoing with applause
after this production company from the capital brought
the two sides of the border closer with the shooting
of their documentary “Moving Closer” Urmila Matondkar’s
visit made history in Indo-Pak relations just in time
for the SAARC conference.
The
show not only highlights an amazing personality from
the Mughal history but is also aimed at creating awareness
amongst the people about conserving our heritage and
culture through keeping these buildings alive.
This
sound and light drama extravaganza titled, Noor Jahan,
tells the story of the most powerful Mughal queen
ever whose life has so many shades that to present
it to an audience required not only a befitting technique
but also a venue that compliments the setting…. thus
the Jahangir quadrangle was chosen inside the majestic
Lahore Fort.
This
beautiful drama was conceived by Serendip, penned
by Amjad Islam Amjad, boasting of great voices such
as Firdous Jamal, Shujaat Hashmi, Arifa Siddique and
the seasoned Rehana Siddique.
This
unique presentation has a cast of over a hundred actors
who came together under the direction and Productions
of the Beg duo – Dr. Farooq Beg and Huma Beg and their
creative Serendip team who astound their audience
once again with this unparalleled visual feast. The
evening became unforgettable when the audiences experienced
the romance blossoming between the charming prince
Saleem and his beloved Mehr-un-Nisa. The story unfolds
and the fate parts the two loving hearts. Mehr-un-Nisa
gets married to Sher Afgan, when Akbar demands that
preference be given to the state over matters of the
heart…. The story progresses further and Noorjahan
again finds herself in the palace of Jahangir, now
a ruler himself.
With
novel technique of lighting and a stage which shifts
from one feature of the fascinating quadrangle to
another the drama leaves the audience beaming with
pleasure as they leave with precious memories of an
unforgettable evening.
The Government of Punjab, realizing its responsibility
to promote culture and heritage, presents this Serendip
Production. The Prime Minister of Pakistan Mir Zafar
Ullah Jamali graced the show on the last evening with
his presence.
“
I expected this show would be good but not this good.
It was wonderful.”
“
Magnificent you transported us to that era”
“It
was perfect, could not have imagined it to be any
better”
These
are some of the comments from the chief guests to
the audience.
Storyline
Noor
Jahan is one of the most fascinating figures of Mughal
India. She showed considerable skill as an administrator
and proved to be a shrewd statesman. Jahangir had
full confidence in his queen. She received courtiers
and held discussions with them regarding affairs of
state. Coins were struck in her name with this super?inscription:
"By order of the King, Jahangir : Gold has a
hundred splendors added to it by receiving the impression
of the name of Noor Jahan, the Queen Begum."
Royal decrees carried her signature. As observed by
Mutamid Khan, a historian, who was Noor Jahan's s
contemporary, "Her authority reached such a peak
that the king was such only in name."
Noor
Jahan was famous for her beauty and wisdom. She was
an accomplished poet. She made the rose perfume, invented
by her mother, popular. She was adept in embroidery,
and the fabrics and dresses designed by her dominated
the world of fashion for many years.
As
Abdul Rashid observes, "Fact and fiction have
woven a web of romance around this colorful personality."
According to popular legends, Noor Jahan and Jahangir
were childhood playmates. But all the available evidence
suggests that the two met for the first time at the
Meena Bazaar, the royal bazaar held annually at the
palace of the emperor.
