Kaifi Aur Main, that brings in snippets of the life of poet and activist Kaifi Azmi, is in the capital
Kaifi Aur Main, that brings in snippets of the life of poet and activist Kaifi Azmi, is in the capital
How often does a poet's life become the embodiment of sacrifice? And how do you link the saving of the environment with the life of a poet? That is what this initiative is trying to do. Bringing Kaifi aur Main to the Capital to teach people that sacrificing the little pleasures of life goes a long way in cutting down carbon emissions, thereby saving the environment. 
Javed Akhtar enacts the role of Kaifi Azmi in the play
Kaifi aur Main is based on the life of renowned Urdu poet, lyricist and activist Kaifi Azmi, the father of actor-activist Shabana Azmi. Directed by Ramesh Talwar, who has been associated with movies like Silsila, Kaala Patthar and Deewar and was closely associated with the late poet, the play features Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar who play the roles of Shaukat Kaifi (the poet's wife and Shabana's mother) and Kaifi Azmi, respectively.
Experimenting with truth
"It is an experimental kind of entertainment with musicians performing Azmi's songs live on stage while Shabana and Javed recollect Kaifi Azmi. They transport you to the old world, a world of truth," says Talwar. And what aspects of the poet's life has he tried to bring out, having known him personally? "He was always for social issues and jumped to help whoever was in trouble. He has done a lot of work for the cause of women and labourers. All these aspects have been showcased," says Talwar.
Teaching the art of sacrifice
Scripted by Javed Akhtar, the narrative traces Kaifi and Shaukat's journey from his childhood in Mijwan, their unusual romance culminating in a marriage that lasted 55 years, life in Bombay in the 50s, the Progressive Writer's Movement, Kaifi's social and cultural activism, his work as a lyricist, his fight against illness and their effort to make Mijwan a place of progress.
So how is the poet's life related to an environment cause? "Kaifi Azmi's life talks about sacrifice and making the right choices which is the key for a green world. We as individuals need to sacrifice to bring down carbon footprints," says yesteryear actor Amala Akkineni, who is associated with the NGO that's bringing the play to the Capital.
At: Chinmaya Mission, 89, Lodhi Road
when: Today, 7 pm for donor passes,
Call: 9967772190
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