Amidst the growing tension between India and Pakistan after the brutal killing of two Indian jawans along the LoC in Kashmir, a troupe of artistes from Karachi are on a peace mission in the country to strengthen people-to-people relations.
"The tension is political in nature and the people have nothing to do with it. People from both sides of the border want peace. We want regular cultural exchanges with India and a hassle-free visa process so that we can meet each other," Pakistani theatre director Zain Ahmed told PTI here today.
He rued that whenever political tension builds up between the two countries, cultural relations are made the first hostage.
"Many barriers like delaying visa process are created so that the people of the two countries cannot meet each other," he said.
Ahmed is leading a seven-member team of the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) of Karachi which presented 'Manto aur Ghalib : Ek Guftagu' at the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival which ended during the day.
The play, which is replete with soulful songs and lively music, is a fictional conversation between Manto and Ghalib.
A team of 25 artistes of NAPA Repertory Theatre is scheduled to present a theatre 'Manto Rama' at the National School of Drama in New Delhi on Thursday after the other artistes from that country join.
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