Ek Mulaqat Manto Se conceived and performed by Ashwath Bhatt 

About the play:

Ek Mulaqat Manto Se reflects the life and times of the great storywriter, Saadat Hasan Manto, who was deeply traumatised by the partition of the Indian sub-continent.

The performance also tries to showcase Mantos thinking on why he chose to write stories and his treatment of the tragedy of partition of India.

An attempt has been made to perform Mantos articles as he wrote them and to take his ideas to the widest possible audience. If Manto, who hated didactism, were asked if he had a message for the people of the sub-continent, he would surely say, Yes make peace.

The texts used in the performance are Manto, Main Afsana Kyun Kar Likhta hoon, Khol do, Kal Sawere Jo Meri Ankh Khuli and Deewaroon Pe Likhna.

The play has been performed to much acclaim in England, France, Sweden, Germany, Jordan, Pakistan and India. 

Ghazals of Begum Akhtar have been used at few places in the performance to create the ambience of the period and highlight the pathos of Mantos life. A couplet by Daag Dehlavi is the final statement of the performance.

The duration of the play is 1 hour 15 minutes without interval. The play is in Hindustani.

Ashwath's thoughts about the show:

The main reason for doing articles of Manto is to give correct picture of one of the most controversial writers of progressive movement. The play is a success if people after watching the performance go and buy Manto. I must have introduced Manto to thousands of people. It is very satisfying to see people feeling positive about Manto. The performative text shuttles between Sadat Hasan commenting on Manto and vice versa. 'If Sadat Hasan dies and Manto remains alive then it will be like egg without its inner content'
Mantos life was on public domain but to some extent he was responsible for that as he would openly share his personal life with readers. In fact, he enjoyed people commenting on his personality. He was a rebel but all rebels have a flaw and Mantos flaw was his excessive drinking (Alcohol) which ultimately killed him prematurely. 
Kal Sawere jo meri Ankh Khuli is kind of second act of the play. It reflects on the events that happened in day to day life after partition of India in 1947. Though Manto is talking about Pakistan but same things happened on this side of the border too. The anecdote s of Pooriwala, Con team of father & son, Cycle mechanic, Hotel on wheels etc. reflect how much people were struggling with life to earn two square meals.
Deewaron par Likhna- the comments on why people write on walls, again is a deep analysis of human psyche. These articles show Mantos deep understanding and observation of society and human beings in particular.
Manto was champion of woman liberation. May be thats why God gave him three daughters. He was deeply traumatized by the violence during partition especially against woman. .