And yes I agree with you… This is probably the finest opera I’ve seen in films in our country… I’ve seen it so many times, I have it by heart!

But after reading your handiwork, i’ve come to realize that in the movie i’d downloaded, there were some pieces missing in the play.

i.e, “Tabrez: (after he says, Arey ab bas! Arey ab bas!) Karey kuch sharam hayaa ki baat, teri aukaat bataaon tujhko,
tu hai naa mardon ki zaat, bandh kamre ki hai saugand

Ugaade mu seene ko khol, duppatte ko bechaa be mol, ankh mein besharmi ko gol.” (Ghair ke badan ko chuti hai saali badsaat! and the SLAP…..is there)

AND “Tabrez: Naam tale uska mein tere hont raakh yeh kardoonga

Majnu: Jis raakh mila Laila ka naam, mein sar aankhon mein bharloonga

Tabrez: Arey tu aise naahi maanega, talwaar nikaal chal!

Laila: Bhai tu mera sakaa hai, abba dilo jaan se pyaare,
ammi jaan mein dil atka hai.
Magar maaloom nahi kya hua bhai ek aurat andhar chillayi ke chuua kisine,
usko chuua kisine

Saare sawaal banke ubaal kafur hue bhai
Woh aurat behti thi ab khadi ho gayi, choti thi ab badi ho gayi,
aur aaj usse ehsaas hua ki woh zehan chadi haraarat hai
Woh ishq naam ke kalam se likhi ek purzor ibaadat hai,
woh raat sharam ki puthli hai, to suraj chade qayamat hai
Woh chodd khuda ke nahi kisike tesh se darr thi hai bhai
Aur jaan sakhe to jaan ki Laila Qaiss pe marthi hai bhai,
yeh Qaiss pe marthi hai bhai, yeh Qaiss pe marthi hai bhai! ”

AND “Laila’s Mother: Choodi, mehendi kaa laep, lagaaye deti hoon,
surk bhavakthi maang, sajaaye deti hoon”

AND “Husband: Yeh Majnu kaun hai chaup daar?

Messenger: Woh duur, sheher se rehta hai, woh duur sheher se rehta hai,
bas Laila Laila kehta hai

Pathar ke ghaaon hai khoon bharey, jis mein se bas khoon behtha hai”

I’d idly wondered why Laila’s husband hadn’t asked for Majnu’s identity when i’d first watched Aaja Nachle. But then, the rest of the play was so good, that i’d all but forgotten about the omissions.

Until i read your narration of Dastan-e-Laila Majnu, that is.

I’d tried to download the complete play then, but wherever I’ve looked, I’ve only managed to find versions of what i already have (the play with those parts cut out). It’s so depressing, let me tell you.

And it made me wonder; which version of Aaja Nachle had you watched, and how come i can’t get it…?!