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There’s a famous saying that your reputation precedes you and that’s truer in art and theatre than anywhere else. Fatima Amjed of Baeyett has a reputation of putting her heart and soul into her work to produce magic and with her latest work, Kaur, she did exactly that.

A heartwarming Punjabi musical and tribute to Punjabi singer Amar Singh Chamkila, Kaur is the story of singer Sarabh Jodh Kaur, played by the brilliant Farheen Raza Jaffery, and how the women in her life (her sister-in-law, Gurpreet Singh played by Amjed herself, and her friend Parminder played by Shae Gill) carve the trajectory of her life and help her achieve her goals and dreams. In a parallel world, Kaur also narrates the story of Rocky and Parminder (played by Gill), and her journey from home in a village to a bar singer in the city.

Essentially, Kaur is a story of women, their camaraderie and the magic that happens when they uplift each other. It’s also a story of breaking stereotypes, of chasing dreams and the courage that one needs to make those dreams a reality, even in the face of adversity.

Everything from the storytelling and direction to the dialogue delivery, choreography, singing, set design and outfits was brilliant and on point. In many parts it felt like a West End or Broadway musical. Among the cast, everyone did absolute justice to their roles. Jaffery was brilliant as Sarabh Jodh Kaur, and no one could tell it was her debut theatre performance. We are all aware of the brilliance of her vocals, but her acting was equally strong and convincing. In some parts, particularly the last scenes of the play, it felt as if the actor was crying and going through all that in reality.

One expects nothing less from Amjed, who was a natural in her role as Gurpreet Singh. She delivered a mesmerising portrayal, effortlessly embodying her character with depth and authenticity. Her emotional range captivated the audience, making the experience truly unforgettable.

Gill as Parminder showcased remarkable vocal talent alongside a compelling portrayal, seamlessly blending acting and singing. Her emotive delivery and stage presence left a lasting impression, elevating the entire production. There were way too many artists who performed their roles to perfection but besides the leads, Hamza Ghaznavi as Bhagatveer, the villain, and Sadia Sarmad as Bebay (the mother) were masters of their craft and brilliant in every way.

Amjed, the director and mastermind behind Kaur, wrote on her Instagram that Kaur, in all of her trials, became both the test and the reward. “This team has seen miracles and absolute divine intervention at play. Through all the distress of the first show this beautiful ensemble stuck together. For which, I will forever be grateful. Lekin jis show ko maatha tek ke banaya ho, uski rakhri o aap karda eh. I have never felt more grateful, more humbled by the power of persistence and faith. And in the end, that standing ovation wasn’t just for the play-it was for Kaur’s unwavering spirit.”

While there are way too many people to give credit to (the curtain call went on for a good 10 minutes!), Hamza Mustafa, the assistant director deserves immense credit as does Shahid, the choreographer. Zara Shahjahan’s clothes were not just stunning but also fit perfectly with the plot and the setting.

Just like any piece of art, every viewer takes home a different perception and so for me, Kaur was, in many ways, a reminder of how important female friendships and the girls in our life are and how they are the ones uplifting us in times of need. It was a reminder to keep your girls close and to hold them dear as they will be your anchor through life’s darkest shadows. It was also a reminder to keep your dreams alive, to keep that “jodh” in you alive, to keep the flame of that spirit alive!

In many ways, Kaur has set a new bar for Pakistani theatre and redefined Punjabi theatre in a women-centric and empowering way. Musicals of this grandeur and scale are not common and so the performing arts space seems to have a promising future. Kudos to everyone who put this together — the hard work shows and paid off. If you’re in Lahore, the good news is that Kaur is doing a rerun this coming weekend. Don’t miss it!

All photos by Saad Sheikh