PROVINCE REPORT
ISLAMABAD: Renowned writer, director and Chief Executive of Dolphin Communication, Asma Butt, has once again won acclaim with her latest stage production, “Amir Khusro,” presented at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).
The play, based on the life and artistic legacy of Hazrat Amir Khusro (RA), received an enthusiastic response from the audience, who gave a standing ovation at the conclusion and applauded writer Arshad Chahal, director Asma Ismail Butt and the entire cast.
Directed by Asma Ismail Butt, the play captivated audiences with powerful performances, engaging dialogues and an effective presentation of the Sufi and literary heritage of the subcontinent. Dolphin Communication presented the historical subject through contemporary stage expression.
Speaking on the occasion, Asma Butt said Hazrat Amir Khusro (RA) was a great Sufi, poet and prominent figure in the musical heritage of the subcontinent. A disciple of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (RA), he made significant contributions to Persian and Hindavi poetry and the region’s literary and cultural traditions. His mystical poetry remains closely associated with the tradition of Qawwali and music.
Asma Butt recalled that while presenting her play “Shah Hussain Madholal” in India, she visited the shrine of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (RA). Listening to the mystical poetry of Hazrat Amir Khusro there inspired her to bring his life and artistic legacy to the stage.
She said the production was a collective effort and emphasized that presenting historical and cultural figures to younger generations was a responsibility she deeply valued.
Guests and audience members appreciated Asma Butt’s efforts to promote Pakistani culture and praised the cast for their performances. They said that following “Shah Hussain Madholal,” “Heer Waris Shah,” “Saif-ul-Malook” and “Dulla Bhatti,” the new production further enriched her distinctive artistic tradition.
The play was written by Arshad Chahal and directed by Asma Ismail Butt. The cast included Kaleem Khan, Shahid Mughal, Sabir Khan, Shabbir Shah, Imran Rushdi, Neelam Arshad, Javeria, Noor Shararti, Khalil Noor, Faran Bajwa, Liaqat Shah, Noor Jahan, Simran Ali, Alisha Jahangir, Alishba Jahangir and Shazia Adeeb, along with other artists.
