As we prepare to celebrate Mawlana Hazar Imam’s birthday in festivity and happiness, make sure to tune in for Hope and Light: Stories, Song, Celebration, an all-volunteer production, airing on The Ismaili TV on 12 December 2020.
Featuring a host of characters from different parts of the world, Hope and Light tells the story of a group of Ismaili volunteers on a quest to discover meaning through music in the lead-up to Salgirah Khushiali.
Extroverted Farhan, or “FJ” as his friends call him, introspective Amina, bookish Fahima, and expressive Rafiqa are tasked to deliver a project for the Jamat, but they first need to get along! The story is narrated by skeptical newscaster Salim, who follows the progress of the team as they meet one another and begin working on a plan.
The idea for this inspiring production sprung out of necessity. With many Jamatkhanas still temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, an opportunity arose to create a global Salgirah programme for broadcasting to every jurisdiction of the Jamat across the globe.
Shermina Sayani, Director of Hope and Light, spoke of the unique aspects of the production, and the differences between a familiar physical show and a contemporary virtual one.
“This has been a really exciting project to be involved with, as a virtual production like this has never been done before in our community,” she said. “Because of the remote nature of the project, we’ve had the opportunity to include members of the Jamat from different parts of the world, which adds different material and different perspectives. This makes the show more interesting and more fun than if it had been in-person and limited by geography.”
Every part of the show has been developed by volunteers who have given of their time towards the project, including professional actors Rizwan Manji, Almas Fidai, Huse Madhavji, Shaleen Hudda-Mulvany, and Ashiana P. Along with the musicians and backstage team, the production has involved volunteers from 12 countries all coming together to produce something special.
It also includes songs from around the world, some released as recently as this year, and others dating back to Hazar Imam’s Silver Jubilee. This combination of expressive acting, melodious music, and a hopeful message, is a distinctive mixture which makes the show both entertaining and artistic.
While inspiring many laughs, the production also contains valuable messages; particularly timely during challenging times, and especially apt at the end of 2020. Via the narratives of each of the characters, we are encouraged to take a look inside ourselves and begin to write — or in some cases rewrite — our own narrative.
“It is important for us to have spaces for storytelling because we have so many stories within us,” said Shermina. “Sharing these stories helps us to belong, to bond, and to grow.”
In our community, such tales, accounts, and anecdotes have emerged in different places, and developed over the course of many years. Each individually weaved narrative thread helps to form a larger tapestry, illustrating our collective and intertwined story as a diverse, united, and global Jamat.
To celebrate this diversity and unity, and to commemorate our beloved Imam’s 84th birthday, join us on an uplifting journey of Hope and Light, premiering on 12 December exclusively on The Ismaili TV.
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