The Citizens Foundation (TCF) in collaboration with Zain Ahmed presented “Heer Ranjha”, an Urdu musical featuring fine actors like Sanam Saeed, Arshad Mahmood and Samina Ahmed. The play celebrates romance and love entwined with beautiful poetic verses and at the same time raises funds for educating the less-privileged children of Pakistan. The stage theatre has been performed in Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad. Inspired by Waris Shah’s poetry and based on the evergreen script of Kaifi Azmi, the play is directed by Zain Ahmed, currently the artistic director of the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) Repertory and festival director of the NAPA International Theatre & Music Festival. Audience enjoyed live singing by Sanam Saeed, Hasan Raza and the rest of the cast. The songs from the Bollywood movie ‘Heer Ranjha’ have been redone with contemporary music under the able music direction of Nigel Bobby. Audience enjoyed live singing by Sanam Saeed, Hasan Raza and the rest of the cast. The songs from Bollywood movie ‘Heer Ranjha’ have been redone with contemporary music under the able music direction of Nigel Bobby “‘Heer Ranjha’ has been presented on stage and in cinema many times before so the expectations are really high. I wanted to present this love story with a twist and create a beautiful harmony in the new and old. That’s when I decided to base the story on Kaifi Azmi’s script and contemporise the songs from Bollywood Punjabi movie ‘Heer Ranjha’. My entire cast has given their blood, sweat and tears to perform this Urdu musical and I hope the audience will enjoy watching our performance,” Zain said. “The play is also an effort to help the cause of education as all proceeds from this play will go to TCF. We chose TCF because they are a leading name in the social sector and are literally transforming the lives of the deserving children by giving them the gift of education,” Zain added. “Heer Ranjha” is a story of undying love that many still quote and look up to. It’s an age-old tale of star-crossed lovers, Heer who belongs to Jhang and Ranjha who belongs to Takht Hazara. Upon a chance meeting, Ranjha falls in love with Heer at first sight. He is enraptured by her beauty and charm. Heer is also attracted to him but is disappointed when she discovers that their families have been enemies for generations. However, these lovers vow to fight for their love. Who wins this war of love and egos remains to be seen. “TCF is grateful to Zain and his team for taking up this great task of bringing ‘Heer Ranjha’ to the theatre as an Urdu musical. The fact that this team is contributing to the cause of education giving their talent and time to help more deserving children go to school is commendable. We are so happy that they have become part of the TCF movement and are playing their part in making education a reality for those who have little chance of having access to quality education otherwise. The supporters of TCF have taken great care in organising this show and bringing it to the audience in the best possible way,” TCF CEO Syed Asaad Ayub Ahmad said. “Heer Ranjha” – the Urdu musical was performed in Karachi from September 7-11, in Lahore from September 13-14 and Faisalabad from September 16-17. For the Karachi show, the tickets are available at Neco’s Bukhari, Neco’s Dolmen Mall – Clifton and Agha’s. For more information and ticket details for Lahore and Faisalabad, please visit TCF’s Facebook. Tickets can also be purchased online from www.bookitnow.pk TCF is a non-profit organization set up in 1995 by a group of citizens who wanted to bring about positive social change through education. Today, TCF is one of Pakistan’s leading organizations in the field of education for the less privileged. The TCF model is providing quality education to 204,000 children through 1,441 purpose-built school units located in the heart of Pakistan’s urban slums and rural communities. The organisation ensures that girls represent nearly 50 percent of overall student enrolment. To magnify its impact, improve enrolment and quality of education, TCF is now adopting government schools across Pakistan. Published in Daily Times, September 10th 2017.