Ummid: Manushya Zinda Hai Explores History, Partition, and Humanity in New Play

Based on stories by the renowned writer Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, the play Ummid: Manushya Zinda Hai explores themes of riots, humanity, and the Partition of India. During Durga Puja, a sudden stampede breaks out in a pandal after a child accidentally breaks an idol. A furious crowd seeks to punish the child because of his religion, but a Hindu doctor hides the child in his house and tries to reason with the crowd.

As chaos erupts, the child's father, the doctor, and nearby residents are brutally beaten. Muslims also arrive in anger after news spreads. The child's father asks rioters to spare the doctor, prompting the doctor to draw parallels to 1947, when the country was divided during independence and a similar mob arrived. The narrative connects the present with the past, highlighting friendships that survived, lovers who were never united, and neighbours who helped one another during the Partition.

Writer Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi has authored books, edited speeches, and served in various academic and cultural roles, including Member Secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. Director Laxmi Rawat is a film and theatre director, actor, writer, and editor whose work has been featured at multiple festivals. According to the director's note, the play was inspired by the announcement of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day and weaves together four stories by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi to salute the humanity, friendship, love, and compassion that survived amid madness.

The production is presented by Pragya Arts, a registered theatre group dedicated to promoting art and culture.