Director Salim Arif Brings Gulzar Back To Stage: ‘His Silence Is More Eloquent Than His Speech’
Salim Arif is a multi-talented creative director with quite a few hit theatre productions in his kitty. A National School of Drama alumnus, Arif is associated with institution even today. His eye for detail as a painter helped him design sets, costumes and work as a production designer for serials and films before becoming a full-time director. Arif’s first association with Gulzar was as a…
Salim Arif, a versatile creative director, is bringing the renowned writer Gulzar back to the stage with a new show titled "Aab'o-Hawaa: An Evening with Gulzar." The performance will take place on October 7 at the NCPA in Mumbai. Arif's journey with Gulzar dates back to the 1990s, beginning as a production designer for Gulzar's serial "Mirza Ghalib."
He has since assisted Gulzar for various projects, including the documentary "Pandit Bhimsen Joshi," the serial "Kirdar," and the play "Maachis." Arif describes Gulzar's relaxed yet disciplined approach as a stress reliever, allowing the director to maintain control without being strict. The transition from assistant to director of Gulzar's plays has been smooth due to Gulzar's open-mindedness and willingness to help Arif create scripts.
This collaboration is unique as it focuses on Gulzar's environmental concerns, with selected poems by Sandesh Shandilya being sung during the performance. Arif's favorite poem from Gulzar's collection is a touching one about a sketch of a plant on a matchbox, where the plant blossoms despite being drawn on a matchbox cover.
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