Saturday 1st Feb

Chog Kusambey Di (Punjabi Play) Artivism Academy

Location: Hall 1

"Chog Kusambey Di" (Picking up Safflowers) is a powerful and evocative play by Punjabi poet Najm Hosain Syed. Inspired by Bulleh Shah’s kafi, the play unearths the harsh realities of women who labor tirelessly to pick kusamba (safflower) flowers- valuable for their red dye yet difficult to harvest due to thorny stems. These women, bound by poverty and systemicexploitation, endure oppression from feudal lords, traders, and accountants who profit from their toil while offering meager compensation.However, this tale of sorrow becomes a narrative of transformation. As the women confront the injustices imposed by figures like Malik Sahib, Mian Sahib, and the patwari, they awaken to their collective strength. Realizing that no external savior will rescue them, they rise together as the agents of their liberation. The play crescendos into a jubilant celebration of empowerment, rejecting submission, and reclaiming dignity in the face of oppressive forces.Through poetic storytelling and striking performances, "Chog Kusambey Di" transcends time, drawing parallels between the historical exploitation of flower pickers and the modern struggles of marginalized workers. It is a tribute to resilience, solidarity, and the unyielding spirit of women who dare to rewrite their destiny.