RABI'A:
Rabi'a and Hanadi grew up in the Middle East in different historical moments - Rabi'a in eight century Iraq, and Hanadi in contemporary Palestine where there is increasing oppression on people's lives.
Despite all the emotional and economic difficulties she experiences, Rabi'a resorts to the beautiful mysticism of Sufism to escape her turmoil.
Spurred by the loss of her loved ones, Hanadi takes to a re-reading of the Koran to find solace and inspiration for her life and work as a trained lawyer.
Both are united in their pursuit of social justice but in radically different ways.
Which path would you take?
SONGS OF STRAY BIRDS
Written by Tarun Jasani
Directed by Mukul Ahmed
`Prisoner, tell me, who was it that bound you?'
`It was I,' said the prisoner, `who forged this chain very carefully.
I thought my invincible power would hold the world captive leaving me in a freedom undisturbed.
Thus night and day I worked at the chain with huge fires and cruel hard strokes.
When at last the work was done and the links were complete and unbreakable,
I found that it held me in its grip’.
(The Prisoner, Rabrindranath Tagore)
Audience Responses
'Seeing two stories, and two drastically different responses to oppression, is fascinating.'
'I very much like the two positions of the woman on the left and the woman on the right, and how slowly the story comes to life.'
'The subject matter is relevant and thought-provoking for a multitude of audiences.'
'It transformed from beautiful to powerful, instead of being a very heavy handed, political, ‘slap you in the face’ with all this, it was very gentle, and towards the end is when you really realise what’s happening.'
'The musical contribution should be extended, because it’s really fantastic.'
Photography by: Raminder Kaur and Upasana Kadam, Set Design by: Christianna Mason, Web Design by: Siân Aggett
