If we allow ourselves to believe that Tan Man Neel O Neel was only about mob violence, we haven’t really taken away the rest of the story. There is that, the mob violence, and then, there is so much more. From human relationships to male sexual assault, social media as a viable source of revenue and a budding industry for young people, cyber bullying, parenting, marital relationships between middle-aged couples, communication within that relationship, how we treat the marginalized in our society, respect for the Arts, and all this, with performances that brought it all together with sensitive direction and script-writing: Tan Man Neel O Neel is not just a drama, it is a lesson meant to be taught in our schools, added as a mandatory part of our curriculum, a social and spiritual development tool for young people, to be included in every teaching institution’s academic calendar.
When I was young and students questioned the need for Literary education – “But why do we have to read about fictional characters and then deconstruct their actions, the motivations that guided them and the results of their actions?” Big eye roll there. Our teacher would simply respond that studying human relationships, the reasons behind their actions, the emotions that ruled them, their triumphs and regrets, and their defeats, was a critical lesson in life skills, humanity and beyond, one that is notably absent in all other academic subjects.
Tan Man Neel O Neel is that drama which needs to be taught in a compulsory Literature class accompanied by active debate to encourage young people to speak up, address their concerns, their reservations and their takeaways from the narrative.
So, this is a ‘call to action’ to our national education secretariat, let’s tackle the problem at the roots. Amending laws might be treating the symptoms and hopefully, save innocent souls, but shifting mindsets will address the root of the problem – the young people who might or might not become a part of a violent mob – treat the causes, not just the symptoms to make the problem go away for good. Just like we change our physical lifestyle when diagnosed with potential health issues, we not only take the medication but also adapt towards healthier eating, exercise (or we should, at least) because, if done right, we might not need the medication after all.
And if we only take the medication, and not the change on lifestyle, we’d all agree, there’s only so much that medicine can do.
Get the flow?
For those who still need reasons as to the limitless reasons why Tan Man Neel O Neel should be right up there on your learning curve. Here’s more for the road:
1. Parenting Goals
When Mehnaz and Rabi communicated with each other, unraveling a mother-daughter relationship that felt as natural as it was deep – open, unabashed, and honest. one wondered why this couldn’t become a handbook for all such relationships. Rabi sharing her TikTok wins with Mehnaz, Mehnaz sharing her cute-romantic walk in the park with Rabi, Rabi urging her mother to communicate with her father, Mehnaz sharing in her daughter’s first feelings for Sonu – the conversations between these two flowed effortlessly and endearingly, often leaving a smile on our face. That, clubbed with Rabi talking to Ehsaan about how she needs her father to ask about her whereabouts and not just leave her be, was a heartening reveal, one that left us wiping a tear, and also taught many stoic yet caring fathers, the meaning of being ‘wholly present’ there in their adult children’s lives.
2. Appreciation and Respect for the Arts
When Samiya Mumtaz’s character Farah took to the dance floor, when Rabi crooned ‘Baaton Baaton Mein’ with all of her soul, when Sonu and friends choreographed a dance sequence and then, subsequently, Rabi planned an event management company to convert their passion into a full time commercial venture, one was able to appreciate the artist for his talent and also, realize that such passions can become a source of revenue. Whether the message was for parents of young adults who are involved with the Arts, the parents themselves or all of society, one was made to love the Art and artist and hence, understand that this too, is a worthy career choice, just like any other.
3. Social Media and Cyber Bullying
When Rabi posted her song on social media, Kami and friends were quick to call out the video, including many followers who trolled Rabi on social media. But all we needed were taya’s wise words, appreciating the song and singer, to add perspective to the POV. Not just that, the song itself was played as background score and in a very short time, won over real life audiences, all of us, many of us listening to it on loop.
How can such a soulful rendition or its creator be trolled?
One has to feel something for the song and the singer to disassociate oneself from the negativity and lack of awareness attached to the Arts in our society. This is one way to counter the criticism and create awareness among the general public, the person on the street who has been exposed to negative propaganda and a sense of guilt or censure with anyone indulging in artistic endeavours must be convinced – with gentle, kind characters whom we all grow to love. And so, when these characters sang or danced with their heart, so did we, stand up to applaud their talent, rather than drown it in negativity.
4. Of Relationships Between Young Men and Women
Perhaps this was one point the drama pushed so subtly, yet so beautifully that we didn’t even notice that Rabi and Sonu’s relationship had transgressed from gradual and hearfelt friendship to a deeper understanding, to mutual respect, and then, possibly love. These two showed young couples how to interact in a manner that was mature, yet innocent, respectful, yet playful – theirs was the kind of love that kept both feet on the ground, yet soared in a way that sent out multiple messages to young boys and girls – this is also a way to fall in love. Both Rabi and Sonu had nothing to hide from their mothers, both took their time coming to a decision, yet their bond fell into place beautifully with no unnecessary conflict, insecurity or jealousies. Sonu respected Rabi’s independence, yet he was there when she needed him to be, and Rabi, dear free-thinking Rabi, felt she could conquer the world, and she would have had things been different, together with Moon and Sonu.
5. The Spotlight on Male Sexual Assault
When Moon was sexually assaulted early in the narrative, the story shed light on a seldom talked about topic in our society. Where female sexual assault has been, and should be taken seriously, men have often found it impossible to overcome the trauma of an experience that scars them for life. Moon’s story touched hearts and his tortured soul might have found some relief in seeing his perpetrator behind bars. But most people are not as fortunate, justice is often denied and many Moons suffer in silence and carry a sense of undisclosed and unfair shame their entire lives – such are the scars of physical abuse that the victim often lives with them, unhealed, forever.
Tan Man Neel O Neel became one of the first dramas to address this grave wrong, and with this first step, as is often the case with such narratives, hopefully, many others will continue the conversation—albeit with the sensitivity it deserves.
6. The Laddus Among Us
Laddu’s character played by actor Arsal was certainly a star to be reckoned with. What was so moving and heartwarming was the way Sonu and Farah interacted with Laddu. As a society, we often hesitate to include people like Laddu amidst us. Often it is our own lack of clarity or awareness, often, it is because as young children, we have not been taught or exposed to those among us who need our help, our understanding and love.
Young people need to be empathetic and only then can our society raise adults who can also be kind and inclusive to people hailing from all backgrounds of life. Tan Man Neel O Neel sent out a message without making it preachy or unbearable to watch at any point – it is really up to us now if we can shift from a community who chases the Laddus among us in the street, or helps them cross the road.
7. Mob Violence
Pakistanis have struggled with mob violence as have many communities across the world. The success of a person who instigates a mob and controls the narrative he feeds them, comes from his ability to feed off ignorance, misinformation and a blind belief that the accused person before us has for some reason, hurt our beliefs and sentiments to the point that he is a threat to humanity.
Threatening enough to be sunjected to stoning to death, lynching or both.
In Tan Man Neel O Neel, Kami’s revenge had little to do with his beliefs, and the people he targeted were all good, kind people – taya, whose wisdom we had grown to love, Sonu, Moon and Rabi – the shining stars among us, their light burnt out too soon, Ehsaan, a tortured soul – it is in making us love these characters, watching them perform acts of kindness and humanity, that we felt for them.
If an angry mob could see beyond the rhetoric, understand that the people they are about to set on fire are human beings, just like them, honourable members of society, and if nothing else, they deserve a just trial before a court of law, no matter what the allegations they face – things might be different and innocent lives might be saved.
To sum it up, a popular quote says it best: “How can there be peace without people understanding each other; and how can this be if they don’t know each other?” – Lester B. Pearson, 14th Prime Minister of Canada.
And Tan Man Neel O Neel did just that. It made us get to know Sonu, Rabi, Ehsaan, Farah, Laddu, Moon, Mehnaaz, taya and all the people whom we heartlessly condemn to the gallows, whose death warrant we have no right to write, our hands stained with the blood of the innocent because, we chose not to stand against, but with the mob, or, we chose to remain silent when we should have spoken.
The drama’s final episode echoed the cries of all those whose lives were cut short and who fell victim to senseless mob violence, one that claims a life first and ponders later… or perhaps, never!
Tan Man Neel O Neel delivered standout performances from the entire team and it would be a shame not to mention the endearing Mehnaz played by Nadia Afgan, the beloved Rabi played by Sehar Khan who seemed to have pushed the boundaries with this character and left audiences speechless, Shuja Asad as Sonu, innocent, cute and oh so sensitive we wish all the men are watching, Moon who carried an inner strength and an outward sensitivity that deserves a standing ovation, Nauman Masood who couldn’t have given a better rendition of Ehsaan; guilty, suffering, silent yet capable of love, Tanveer Hussain as Rabi’s taya who carried the wisdom of the entire world on his shoulders, Samiya Mumtaz as Farah who is both grace and talent in a power-packed character, forever giving her all to the role. And one must not forget Kami aka Usman Javed who ‘villained’ like no other, showing us the mirror – to all those who have known him or been him, or might become him, Tan Man Neel O Neel is for you all…
And Tan man Neel O Neel is for all of us too. A sign to remember, to not let the Kamis of this world grow larger than life, else one day, we might not be fortunate enough to be the ones standing by… so feel for your fellow human beings as if they were your own, or even, yourselves:
“Each man’s death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. Therefore, send not to know For whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee.” – John Donne, For Whom The Bell Tolls
And that, dear folks, is why Tan Man Neel O Neel needs to be added to the national curriculum. Have anything to add? Drop us a comment and join the conversation.
Credits:
The cast of Tan Man Neel o Neel includes Shuja Asad, Seher Khan, Sammiya Mumtaz, Saleem Mairaj, Nadia Afgan, Nauman Masood, Muhammad Usman Javed, Haseeb Khan, Leyla Zuberi, Tanveer Hussain, Ali Ammar, Rubina Naz, and Arsal. It is written by Mustafa Afridi, directed by Saife Hassan and produced by Sultana Siddiqui. It aired on HUM TV every Saturday.
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