MAKHAN LAL SARAF : A LIVING LEGEND OF KASHMIRI THEATRE.

"I have no words to express my gratitude for organizers of this  Opera . My special thanks to Naadim Sahib and my thanks to all actors. I shall be failing in my duties if i do not add  words of appreciation for the Character  NEEL NAAG Played by Makhan Lal Saraf . My sincere gratitude to  this talented artist for his superb performance as NEEL NAAG  historically the source of  our  great river   VITASTA." so said Mirza Afzal Beg( in his concluding  address after witnessing the opera )    the then  Deputy chief Minister and also  a close associate of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah . He came up to the stage shook hands with all artists  and hugged Makhan lal Saraf affectionately. When the opera concluded , everyone in the  hall stood up to give the artists a standing ovation by cheering them lustily for more   than 15 minutes . The Music , the actors , Naadim Sahib's Poetic presentation and the costumes kept every one in the audience spell bound.As far as i remember it must have been late seventies  and the opera was staged in Jam packed Tagore Hall  srinagar . Mirza Afzal beg happened to be the chief Guest. I vividly remember the costumes  of the artists designed by  G R Santosh noted painter from Kashmir. 

That is Makhan Lal Saraf  the living legend of  Theatre in Kashmir. He belongs to second generation of Theatre artists  of kashmir if one considers Moti Lal Kemue , Naadim sahib , Mohan lal  Aima , Pushker Bhan  , Ali Mohd Lone , Noor Mohd Roshan  and  S N Sumbli and many other contemporaries as belonging to the   first generation.

When Sheikh Mohd Abdullah decided to start Inter state Cultural exchange  concept , Makhan lal saraf along with 70  other artists from the state  visited entire country  to perform Plays like PIYA BAAJ PYAALA or TIPU SULTAN ( He Played the role of  Tipu's Father   ) and HIMALAYA KE CHASHME  ( He played the role of  Sherwaani ). One must read newspaper reviews of that period  to know how well the troupe from our state was received and how well the talent of our  actors especially  Makhan lal Saraf was appreciated .

Born at Chinkral Mohalla in srinagar city ,he  shares his birth place with  shams faqeer the  tallest sufi poets of kashmir.Totally self taught , he acknowledges the valuable guidance of R K Braroo( NSD Graduate ) and Pran Kishore in shaping  the artist in him. 

Saraf  remained associated with RANGMANCH ( Srinagar ), KASHMIR THEATRE  ( srinagar ) AND BHOORANG (  Jammu as Founder  ).He also acted in Kashmiri films like Maanziraat and Mehjoor besides doing a notable role in a TV serial by Sham Benegal. His productions Dr Faustus , Kuss Log Davuss , Taqdeer Saaz are considered trend setters .His acting in  Hero Machama , Mangoo , Aknandun , Ba Chuss Tsoor ,Aaraam Haraam Hai is a class in itself. Some of the  TV serials written by him enjoyed peak popularity. To quote   PAZAR YELI MOOD, PAGAAH SHOLI DUNIYA ,GULAM BEGUM BADSHAAH , CHERRI TRUCH, KRUHUN SEERI , HAZAR DASTAAN, ME CHHUM  AASH PAGHICH AND SEEMAB 

Theatre may have given his the much needed intellectual satisfaction yet he did not live by theatre alone . Saraf worked as a section officer in higher education department of the state . I saw him many times at Amar Singh college where he remained posted for quite a long period.

Makhan Lal  saraf is a playwright , Producer , actor and author all combined beautifully. Author of two milestone books  " From Actor to Artist ( English )"and " Drama Movement in kashmir ( Kashmiri ) "he enjoys the unique distinction of being the first Theatre artist in kashmir whose  Book ( Drama  Movement in Kashmir ) is in  the syllabus of kashmiri  department University of kashmir .

He is recipient of many awards both within the state and outside .What more is needed to be eligible for a   PADAM SHRI ? Can i ask this question?

Sunaa hai ho Bhi Chukaa hai Firaq e zulmat o noor ,

Sunaa hai Ho Bhi Chukaa hai visaal  e Manzilo Ghaam ,

Badal chukaa hai Bahut Ahl e Dard Ka dastoor ,

Nishaat e vasal Halaal o Azaab e Hijr haraam,

Jigar ki Aag nazar Ki Umang , Dil Ki Jalan ,

Kissi Pe Charah e Hijraan Ka Kuchh Assar Hi Nahin ,

Kahan se Aayee Nigaar e sabaa  kidhar Ko gayee ,

Abhi Chirag e sar e Raah ko Kuchh Khabar Hi nahin,

Abhi Girani e shab mein Kuchh Kamee nahin Aayee ,

Najaat e Deeda o Dil Ki Garhi Nahin Aayee ,

Chale Chalo Ki Woh Manzil Abhi Nahin Aayee.

( Faiz Ahmed Faiz )

We hear now that the light and darkness have parted ,

Also, now that there is a union of quest and goal,

That the lot of the afflicted is now changed ,

That the pleasure of union is now granted,

banished is the torment of separation.

Fire in the bosom , longing in the eyes , and heartburn,

nothing can soothe the anguish of separation.

Where did the sweet breeze come from?

Where did it vanish ?

The street lamp has no news yet.

Even the night's heaviness is just the same,

the moment of salvation has not arrived 

for the heart and the eye.

So let us press on ,

 The destination is still far away.

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