Punjabi Play Made In USA

Sujata Avasthi  

In the play she is the bubbly, sparkling and talkative Salma who is caught between her own fixation on Saleem while being followed around by Shurlee who claims that he cannot live without her. Her constantly changing moods generate non-stop laughs. One moment she is irritated by Shurlee and is trying to get rid of him with a barrage of choice Punjabi words on her knife-sharp tongue and a moment later she becomes all honey and butter when she talks to Saleem.   

In real life, Sujata is a well-known and highly respected South Asian community leader in the Washington Metropolitan Area where she has been active in the community affairs and various cultural activities for more than two decades. 

Charity work is one of Sujata�s passions.  She has worked with numerous charity groups.  She is on the board of Karuna Charities of Washington D.C. Karuna Charities helps women and children of South Asian origin.  She is an active member of Washington D.C. chapter of Manav Kalyan Kendra, a charity organization that raises funds in the US to buy medicines and textbooks for children living in Delhi�s slums. She is also a member of USINPAC, a US/India political action committee. 

Sujata is an accomplished Classical and Kathak dancer and has done numerous dance performances.  She has also performed in a number of stage plays.  More recently, she did no less than 4 different roles in Global Performing Arts� successful and critically acclaimed Punjabi Play Heer Ranjha in 2001. 

In her professional career, Sujata is one of the leading real estate professionals in the area and now manages her own real estate brokerage firm.     

Dr. Krishan Gulati

Dr. Krishan Gulati plays the role of Dr. Felsoof in the play.  It is quite a coincidence that he is also a medical Doctor in real life, a board certified Pediatrics practicing in the US for many years.

Dr. Gulati's interest in stage plays goes a long way back. He was barely 8 years old when he took part in a Skit "Hum Subh Aik Hain." Later, while a student in Medical School at Dayanand College, Ludhiana, he performed in many stage plays and won the award of Best Actor in ""Hera Phairee" in 1974. 

Even the demands of a busy medical practice have not diminished Dr. Gulati interest in acting.  He has played a number of memorable roles in stage plays in the Washington Metropolitan Area, more recently in ISHA's previous play "Rai Da Paharr" in 2002.

A few pcirures from  Dr. Gulati's previous stage performances

Javed Boota

Javed Boota, who is playing one of the main characters, Sansaar, in the play, needs no introduction for the audience in the Washington Metropolitan area where he has performed many memorable roles in stage plays during the last 20 years. 

Javed brings a wealth of experience from his life long association with film, TV, radio and stage plays. Besides playing an important role in the play, he is also a member of the play management team.

Here is a brief list of Javed�s work in film, TV, radio and stage plays:

  Films

 1978   Tarana   (Urdu Film), Associate Director

1978    Awaz     (Urdu Film), Associate Director

1977    Aag Main Phool, (Urdu Film), Associate Director

1976    Aik Chera Do Roop, (Urdu Film), Associate Director

1976    Baiti (Urdu Film), Associate Director

1975    Sacha Jhoota (Urdu Film), Associate Director

1975    Waqat  (Urdu Film), Associate Director

1974    Daaman Ki Aag (Urdu Film), Associate Director

1974    Shikwa(Urdu Film), Associate Director

1973    Barsosa  (Urdu Film), Associate Director

1973    Qismat(Urdu Film), Associate Director

1972    Yadain (Urdu Film), Associate Director

1972    Ghairat Merey Veer Dee (Punjabi Film), Associate Director

1971    Maa Te Maama (Punjabi Film), Associate Director

1971    Bholay Shah ( Punjabi Film), Second Assistant

1970    Ishq Na Puchey Zaat (Punjabi Film), Second Assistant

1969    Dard (Urdu Film), Third Assistant

1968    Tumhi Ho Mehboob Mere  (Urdu Film), Third Assistant

1968    Mairi Dosti Mera Pyar  (Urdu Film), Third Assistant

  TV and Radio Plays

 1993    Mirza Ghalib In America (Urdu � TV Play), Associate Director/Supporting            Role.

1990    Tirchi Topi Wala  (Urdu/Punjabi � TV Play), Supporting Role

1992    Footpath Ke Farishtay  (Urdu  - Radio Play), Leading Role

  Stage Plays 

2001    Heer Ranjha  (Punjabi � Stage Play), Supporting Role

1999    Loha Kutt  (Punjabi � Stage Play), Supporting Role

1999    Luna  (Punjabi � Stage Play), Leading Role

1998    Heer Ranjha (Punjabi � Stage Play), Supporting Role

1995    BaghiaBnaca Ram Ki  (Hindi � Stage Play), Leading Role

1995    Takht Lahore  (Punjabi � Stage Play),  Supporting Role

1994    Badi Bahu Ji  (Urdu � Stage Play), Supporting Role

1994    Darrar  (Hindi � Stage Play),  Leading Role

1990   Chekov�s Proposal  (Urdu � Stage Play), Leading Role

1983   Townhouse  (Urdu/Punjabi � Stage Play), Supporting Role

1982   Pagal Khana  (Urdu/Punjabi � Stage Play), Supporting Role

1981   Amreeka Chalo  (Urdu/Punjabi � Stage Play), Supporting Role

1981   Greencard  (Urdu/Punjabi � Stage Play), Leading Role

Dalvinder Multani

Dalvinder Multani will demonstrate another variation of a typical �Chaudhary� in this play, his initial being in Balwant Gargi�s famous Punjabi Play �Kanak Di Balli�.

Dalvinder has been active in Indian Theatre from his days at Punjab University, Chandigarh where he acted in several short plays including, an English classic �The Dear Departed�. He has been actively participating in the variety cultural programs for the Sikh Community since 1978.

He has also acted in several full-length Hindi and Punjabi plays in the past several years.

He is popularly known as the �Shahjehan� of Ajay Shulka�s famous satire �Taj Mahal Ka Tender� which was directed by Umesh Agnihotri. The play was not only staged in Washington metropolitan area but also in New Jersey, Pittsburgh and Richmond.

He also entertained the audiences of Washington, Baltimore, Richmond, Providence (RI) and Pittsburgh as an integral part of the play �Beewion Ka Madrasa�, a Hindi adaptation of Molier�s �The School for Wives�

His hunger (in addition to his size) to play varied characters landed him the role of a typical �Thanedar� of  Punjab Police in Balwant Gargi�s famous one act Comedy Play �Rayee Da Pahaar�. He revived the memories of brutal Police Inspectors at the annual Punjabi Mela in Richmond where he surprised the owners of a Wine & Beer Bar with a surprise check.

He has several other plays to his credit such as, Loha Kutt, Poorab Pachhim, Shadi Ka Ishtihar, Loona and Heer Ranjha.

Dalvinder is a Plant Pathologist by training, however, he sells software & business solutions for a large multi-national software company. He has been living in Northern Virginia with his wife and three children for the past 28 years.

Tariq Saleem

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Lavika Singh

Like many other members of Made In USA play team, Lavika Bhagat Singh�s interest in stage and acting is just one aspect of her highly accomplished and active life.  

Lavika Singh is a dynamic social and political worker. From a very
young age she was inspired by her father to "make a difference in the
world." Having worked for many years in the fashion industry Lavika decided
to devote her life towards the uplift of the underprivileged.  After
having been the Managing Director of Liz Claiborne, India, she worked with
Action Aid, India and Sheila Dixit, the honorable Chief Minister of Delhi on the shelter for the Homeless Project in Delhi. After being awarded for her contributions by the Governmnt, Lavika was further motivated to intensively work for the betterment of children in care of need and protection. This she did while working with Prayas, a non-profit organization based in New Delhi. Soon
after that, she along with a few friends, including Mr. Kapil Dev, former cricket captain of the Indian Team that brought home the World Cup incorporated KHUSHII a Delhi-based NGO that is committed to the uplift of marginalized marginalized sections of the Indian society, especially in rural areas.

Currently Lavika is the sole representative of KHUSHII in the United States and is also the President of the Washington Chapter of the Indian National Overseas Congress which is part of the Indian National Congress, the ruling party of India.

Rocky

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Sandeep Tucknat

  Sandeep Tucknat  plays the role of Lost and Found son of the family, Ehteshaam. Ehteshaam, having spent a number of years with (the slightly mad) Chunni Chacha, carries a childlike personality and brings a very interesting and funny aspect to the play.

Sandeep moved to the US and to the DC area about two years back. He was involved with several skits and plays back in college and is very interested in continuing involvement in the arts community here. A software professional by trade, Sandeep loves all kinds of outdoor sports.

Asha Minhas

Asha Minhas, the dominating Chauhdarani in the play, is launching her theater career in the US with this play.

A computer professional who is working with AOL for the last 10 years, Asha was quiet active in stage plays during her college years in India at Guru Nanak Dev University. She participated in many stage plays and debates in Inter-Collegiate Youth Festivals.

Asha is fond of listening to Indian music.  Her other hobbies include reading and gardening.

Liaqat Ali Mirza

Chunee Chacha is a key character in the play.  He is a sophisticated Urdu-speaking in a crowd of loud and blunt Punjabis. His "Lakhnavi" mannerism becomes an easy target for Chaudhry's servant Sansaar who never misses an opportunity to poke fun at him in colorful Punjabi. For the audience, the "Clash of Civilizations" between Chunee Chacha and Sansaar will create constant sparks of uncontrolled laughter.

Liaqat Ali Mirza has performed in dozens of TV and Stage Play's. His skillful performance as Chunee Chacha in Made in USA will be remembered for a very long time.

Here is a brief sketch of Liaqat Ali Mirza's experience as an  actor: 

Pakistan Television

17 May, 1982:  NASHEMAN - Role: member of board of directors (Directed by Sahira Kazimi, with Qavi Khan, Tauqeer Nisar and Shazia Kazimi).

08 August, 1982:  TOTA KAHANI - Role: Supporting role, assistant cameraman. (Directed by Ayub Khawar).

08 August, 1982:  AJJ DI KAHANI, Episode # 17 - Role: Supporting role as Qaidi # 8.

02 October, 1982:  ALIF LAILA, Episode # 141 - Role: Supporting role as Jadoogar. (Directed by Muhammad Azim).

18 October, 1982:  ALIF LAILA, Episode # 143 - Role: Supporting role as Maulana Sahib. (Directed by Muhammad Azim).

03 November, 1982:  NAMWAR, Episode # 2 - Role: Supporting role as Patient. (Directed by Ayub Khawar).

22 November, 1982:  NAMWAR, Episode # 5 - Role: Supporting role as Patient. (Directed by Ayub Khawar).

15 December, 1982:  AJJ DI KAHANI, Episode # 31 - Role: Supporting role as Lecturer. (Directed by Muhammad Azim, Written by Ashfaque Hussain).

19 January, 1983:  AJJ DI KAHANI, Episode # 35 - Role: Supporting role as Chauhdry. (Directed by Muhammad Azim, Written by Ashfaque Hussain).

15 March, 1983:  AJJ DI KAHANI, Episode # 38 - Role: Supporting role as Bank Manager. (Directed by Muhammad Azim, Written by Ashfaque Hussain).

07 March, 1983:  AINA AUR CHEHRAY, Episode # 5 - Role: Supporting role as Family member. (Directed by Yawar Hayyat).

22 July, 1983:  "DRAMA 83" PICNIC - Role: Supporting role as Assistant Lawyer. (Directed by Muhammad Nisar Hussain).

17 August, 1983:  KHAIL KAHANI, Episode # 20 & 26 - Role: Supporting role as Bank Clerk. (Directed by Muhammad Azim).

Stage Plays

1980:  Punjabi Play - PANI - Role: Supporting role as Jagirdar (Written & Directed by Aziz Ansari, with famous TV artists Jamil Fakiri, Anwar Ali and many more).

1980:  Urdu Play - DEWAR KEY USS PAAR - Role: Supporting role as Professor and Writer. (Written & Directed by Aziz Ansari).

1982:  Urdu Play -ARARKALI - Role: Supporting role as Nawab, alongwith famous TV stars Firdoos Jamal, Rohani Bano, Anwar Ali Mirza Ghazanfar Baig and many more. (Under Ajoka Theatter. Directed by Madeeha Gohar and Jamil Bismal).

1983:  Urdu Play - NUMBER PLATE - Role: Supporting role as Father, alongwith Amanullah, Nashella, Anwar Ali, Jamil Bismal, Fakiri Ahmed and Khalid Nizami. (Directed by Iqbal Afandi).

1996:  Punjabi Play - TAKHT LAHORE - Role: Supporting role as Muneem Ji. (Directed by Umesh Agnihotri).

Liaqat's pictures form some previous TV and Stage plays

Asif Boota

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