Mantoiyat - Jashn E Manto

ऐसा होना मुमकिन है कि सआदत हसन मर जाए और मंटो ज़िंदा रहे ।

The Modern Poets प्रस्तुत करते हैं

मन्टोइयत । जश्न ए मन्टो

A Theatrical Storytelling show

Celebrating Birth Anniversary of Legendary " Sa`adat Hasan Manto"

11th May 2025 | 02:00 PM Onwards 

Venue : Vasuk Auditorium, Lok Kala Manch, Delhi

**Mantoiyat: A Theatrical Odyssey into the Mind of Manto**

*Mantoiyat* is an electrifying theatrical journey that brings the controversial genius of Saadat Hasan Manto to life like never before. This is not just a play—it`s a pulsating exploration of the world of one of South Asia’s boldest and most provocative writers, who dared to challenge norms and expose the raw truths of human existence. 

In the heart of Delhi, where stories of rebellion and identity are written in the air, *Mantoiyat* promises to immerse you in four gripping acts that peel back the layers of Manto’s complex world—connecting the past with the present in a revolutionary fusion of theater and radio drama. The show isn’t merely an act of storytelling; it’s a visceral experience that will make you confront the uncomfortable truths that Manto bravely put forth. 

1.Manto Ki Auratien

Step into Manto`s world where women are not mere characters, but warriors of emotion, desire, and defiance. In this act, the powerful and raw portrayal of Manto’s women will echo through the air, each character painted with the shades of defiance, love, and loss. Through compelling performances and the evocative whispers of the radio drama, you will feel the fire of Manto’s words—words that ignite conversations about society`s cruel treatment of women. 

2. Aaj Ka Manto 

Manto lived in a world of upheaval, and today, his voice rings louder than ever. *Aaj Ka Manto* takes the audience through a kaleidoscope of contemporary issues—social divides, political chaos, and the fight for truth—through the eyes of a writer who saw it all coming. This act is a mirror to today’s world, where the boundaries of right and wrong, identity, and freedom are still contested. With the radio drama echoing the deep, resonating thoughts of Manto, this act challenges you to question: How much has really changed?

3. Ismat vs Manto

Behind every great writer, there’s a battle of ideas, a clash of hearts and minds. *Ismat vs Manto* plunges deep into the fascinating dynamic between Manto and Ismat Chughtai—two literary titans whose friendship and rivalry shaped the literary landscape. Their voices collide, their spirits clash, yet their shared passion for literature binds them together. This act blends the raw emotions of their debate with the lyrical beauty of Manto’s words, brought alive through the power of live theater and the stirring soundscape of the radio drama, capturing the fire and intensity of their creative worlds.

4. Toba Tek Singh Prequel

Before the madness of *Toba Tek Singh* unfolds, we dive deep into the world of the asylum in this gripping prequel. This act is a poignant exploration of the absurdity of partition, where boundaries are drawn not just on maps, but in minds, in hearts, in the very fabric of the soul. Through the radio drama’s immersive sound design and the powerful performances on stage, the anguish, humor, and madness of Manto’s characters leap off the page, weaving a tapestry of sorrow, irony, and beauty that will stay with you long after the final curtain.

All four acts are masterfully connected through the evocative radio drama adaptation of Manto’s *Aao* series, bringing his bold, fearless, and unflinching voice to life in a completely new dimension. This show is more than just a performance; it’s a sensory experience—a collaboration between sight, sound, and emotion that will leave you questioning, reflecting, and rethinking the world around you.

*Mantoiyat* is an invitation to step into Manto’s world—a world where nothing is too sacred to question, and no truth is too dark to face. In Delhi, a city rich in stories and soul, this show dares to bring Manto’s words to life in a way that only theater can. Come, experience the fire, the fury, and the freedom of *Mantoiyat*, where every act is a challenge to the norms, and every word is a revolution.

Written, Adapted & Directed by : Mohit & Anshul 

Artists: Pallavi, Bashir, Simran, Prachi, Anshul & Mohit