very month since August, the Mariam Abdulla Library Book Club at Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture (IVS) has been hosting its much-anticipated Fall Semester Library Dramatic Reading Series at the IVS Library. This event has witnessed a remarkable turnout and participation from IVS students, faculty, staff, and the city’s community. The library is all set to host its grand finale on the 15th of November, 2023 from 3:30pm to 5pm.

The IVS Mariam Abdulla Library is at the heart of the school’s holistic approach to art and education and is devoted to promoting literacy, cultural enrichment, and lifelong learning. The library boasts over 14,000 books and has a diverse collection of literature, texts, resources, and programs tailored to cater to all members of the IVS community and academia.

These Library Dramatic Rea-dings (LDR) have featured some incredible artists and guest performers so far. In August, Zarqa Naz performed stories by Patras Bukhari and Iftikhar Hussain.

In September, the renowned Zambeel Dramatic Reading group presented the stories Thal by Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi and Ghoonghat by Ismat Chugtai. These were performed by Zambeel’s co-founders Dr. Asma Mundrawala, Professor Fine Arts and TV director Saif-E-Hassan.

In October, Shazia Adnan, a known theatre performer and actor wooed audiences by performing Chugtai’s Soot Ka Resham. The highlight of the LDR series has also been the readings presented by IVS Faculty members. Associate Professor Munawar Ali featuring his own original essay and musings, as well as Whatsapp Shayari by art school students and colleagues along with Laila Hassan, Assistant Professor who read Ghalib’s poetry in a unique lyrical manner, and adjunct Faculty Shaan-E-Hussain who mesmerized audiences with Jaun Elia’s lesser known poems and dramatic monologues.

Additionally, IVS is all set to bring back theatre to campus with the IVS Theatre Residency in early 2024 in collaboration with NAPA, featuring talks, workshops and performances which will be directed by US Fulbright Specialist and thespian Ellen Kaplan. This extended Theatre Residency is being organized by the IVS’ Liberal Arts Programme from January-March 2024.

Marium Abdulla Library Book Club is delighted to announce a grand literary extravaganza on Wednesday, 15th of November, that promises to captivate and inspire book enthusiasts and lovers of Urdu literature.

The lineup includes a two-day book fair, some music, poetry readings by IVS students and staff, Dastangoi performed by Atif Badar and since Ismat Chugtai’s literary work has been celebrated for its thought-provoking narratives and deep insights into society, the finale will feature a performance by Kiran Siddiqui who will dramatize Chugtai’s story ‘Mera Bawarchi’.

Asif Nawab, Librarian at the Indus Valley School commented “This promises to be a unique and immersive experience for all who attend. We believe this dramatic reading will not only engage and entertain our audience but also deepen their appreciation for the literary brilliance of Urdu Adab and Shayari.”

The LDR series, which has been jointly organized, curated and directed by Asif Nawab and Afreen Seher, is free and open to the general public and all art, literature and storytelling lovers are warmly invited and encouraged to join.

Whether you are well-acquainted with the poetry of Urdu Adab, or encountering it for the first time, the IVS Library Dramatic Reading Series Grand Finale guarantees a fresh and profound connection with timeless literary masterpieces.

Mark your calendars and join IVS on Wednesday November 15, 2023, at Mariam Abdulla Library for the next onset of literary magic from 3:30-5pm.

– The writer can be reached at writing.likhaai@gmail.com