Tom Alter’s Parchhaiyiyaan was based on the life and struggle of legendary poet Sahir ludhianvi
Veteran theatre artiste Tom Alter paid tribute to lyricist and poet Sahir ludhianvi at a two-day festival at the Genesis Global School. He performed lead in a musical play Parchhaiyiyaan. Alter, a renowned and internationally acclaimed veteran theatre and film actor, is also a member of the Advisory Board at GGS. Parchhaiyiyaan (which means The Shadows) was written and directed by Urdu writer Suhail Akhtar Warsi and is based on the life and works of ludhianvi.
The uniqueness of Parchhaiyiyaan lies in the metering of the poem. The content of the poem moves from romance to social issues. The metering also changes, to reflect the content and its tonality. It is considered to be an anti-war document (themed on the International Peace Movement). Sahir ludhianvi, one of the legendary poets associated with Bollywood’s golden era was born as Abdul Hayee at ludhiana, Punjab. He scripted hundreds of popular songs, ghazals, nazms and speeches in all time classics like Naya Daur, laila Majnu and Daag.
He was at his best in Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa, BR Chopra’s Insaaf Ka Tarazu, Yash Chopra’s Kabhi Kabhie and Ramesh Saigal’s Phir Subah Hogi. Talkhiyan, a collection of love poems and revolutionary thoughts by Sahir, was widely appreciated by the masses.