Pakistan gets a taste of Ramayana, Karachi stage show ‘resonates with millions’

A Pakistani theatre group is getting applauds for staging an adaptation of the Ramayana, the iconic tale of good versus evil from Hindu mythology, in Karachi, Pakistan’s financial and movie capital.

The group, called Mauj, performed the Ramayana at the Karachi Arts Council over the weekend, earning praise for blending traditional storytelling with modern AI enhancements.

Director Yoheshwar Karera said he never feared backlash for staging the epic and believes it shows a more tolerant side of Pakistani society. “Bringing the Ramayana to life on stage is a visual delight and proves our society is more open-minded than people think,” he said.

The play performed in the Islamic radical nation has been well received and seen as something unique, with critics praising both the production quality and the cast’s performances.

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Art and film critic Omair Alavi said he was impressed by the heartfelt storytelling, vibrant lighting, live music, colourful costumes, and striking stage designs that added to the show’s splendour. “The narrative is top-class, as the Ramayana is a story that resonates with millions worldwide,” he noted.

Producer Rana Kazmi, who portrays Sita, said she was fascinated by the idea of transforming the ancient epic into a vivid, engaging experience for today’s audiences.