The Shade That Never Was. Review on Dhoop Chhaon

Patience is a resource which is fast depleting in today's jet-set world, more so, because of it's increasing demand in every aspect of human indulgence. Patience at home, patience in office, patience with parents, patience with boss, patience in relationship, patience out of relationship, patience on road, patience in.the list knows no end. However, it is also a virtue which is grossly exploited and that makes me wonder whether it is as timeless as we have been tutored to believe it is or is it simply overrated having lost some of its contemporaneity in due course of time? When I look around and find people, endowed with it's opposite, doing far better in life than the ones who have held on to it as dear as life, my uncertainty escalates a thousand fold.

On a scale of self-assessment I would rate myself on the higher side. To cut a long story short, I have invested in patience throughout my life, and grudgingly so, because frankly speaking, I did  not have the alternative not to. At times, I have foolishly misjudged its efficacy and cursed myself for being passive, modest and one of those detached bystanders who keeps on perpetually waiting for his/her turn in life. Lately, my self-control has lost some of its tautness and my family has got into the habit of  frequently tching-tching me for being undesirably aggressive. One does get wizened by age, doesn't one? Having said that I am compelled also to acknowledge the fact that every tangible or intangible input of human endeavour has its own time-bar. For that matter, timeliness is the essence in every deal and timelessness a mere myth.

However, Dhoop Chhaon, a prime-time limited-episode serial aired on Zindagi Channel, embodies the myth. With time heals all wounds is what Durr-e-Shahwar(young - Sanam Baloch/old-Sameena Peerzada) believes. Hailing from a family where daughters are treated with tenderness and compassion, Durr-e-Shahwar's world totters on the verge of collapse post marriage. In a stifling, alien atmosphere Durr-e-Shahwar draws her strength from her father's letters as she copes with the pressures of a demanding joint family, mounting household chores, an unfeeling husband(young-Mikaal Zulfiqr/old-Qvi Khan)  and a chastising Mother-in-law(Sabaa Faizal). Her only anchor, amidst this bleak surround, is Saud(Umer Naru), her brother-in-law.

Dhoop Chhaon, written by Umera Ahmed and directed by Haisam Hussain is not another saans-bahu serial. It is the tale of a woman's endurance, quiet strength, adaptability and determination to sail through life's hardships without compromising on her intrinsic qualities.  The journey does not end with Durr-e-Shahwar. History repeats itself when her daughter, Shandana(Nadia Jamil), now married to Haidar(Noman Ejaz)  goes through a similar crisis, albeit, in changed scenario. As rifts deepen, Durr-e-Shahwar makes a difficult choice. She has to tell a story to Shandana - a story that may make or break  her, a story that is very close to her mother's heart. It is the story of Durr-e-Shahwar and Mansoor.  Will she be able to tell the story? Will  a mother be able to save her daughter's marriage? Will a daughter be able to respect a role-model of a father ever after if she comes to know that he has not been as perfect a husband as she thinks him to be? Will the values that Durr-e-Shahwar's father instilled in her stand the test of time?

Dhoop Chhaon has a sedentary pace of narration. A classic retold with perception and poise. The title Dhoop Chhaon refers not only to the occasional ups and downs in life but also to the elusive support systems(familial, parental etc.) which form the backbone of human standing.

Sanam Baloch as the young Durr-e-Shahwar is a heart stealer. Saba Faizal as the stern mother-in-law is a complete anti of the one that she plays in another serial now on air, namely, Aaina Dulhan Ka. Sameena Peerzada of Ishq Gumshuda is as diametrically different from Dhoop Chhaon as she is from Zindagi Gulzar Hai. The qualitative analogy between Hindi and Pak Serials is, therefore because of this and many other reasons, very hard to establish. Needless to say the spectrum of performance of a Sameena or a Saba is oceanic which an infinitely long-drawn Hindi Serial cannot extract from a Sangeeta Ghose or a Supriya Pilgaonkar, however, extraordinarily talented they may be, because of the simple fact that for a superlative performance a taut narrative is a definite requirement.

Though Dhoop Chhaon is no more on air, yet given the programming pattern of the channel, am sure it is soon going to be re-telecast. Also available on You Tube and Zindagi's own website( http://www.zindagitv.in), the serial can be viewed anytime.

In the final analysis, Dhoop Chhaon underscores relational dynamism. Patience is the bedrock of evolution. Nature is the greatest storehouse of this ingredient. From every imperceptible move to perceptible shift in this material world, it is this sound philosophy of patience which directs the magic wand. God is a patient player. In divinity we seek patience. Time is a patient healer. In time we seek solace. It is we humans, who waste efforts in unnecessary haste. And that is why most probably we in the end surpass the bounds of patience in blunder.

So as I contradict my opening words, Dhoop Chhaon reinforces my sagging faith in the immortality of patience.

And if you too believe in this time-tested value watch it.