A Drop of Bloodat Artword Theatre

Back To Artword Productions 2002-2003

In the Artword main theatre, 75 Portland Street
May 27 to June 15, 2003

Rasik Arts presents
A Drop of Blood
(Ek Qatra Khoon)
by Sally Jones,
performed by Ashwatthama JD

Previews Tues May 27 & Wed May 28 at 8 pm: $12
Gala Opening: Thursday, May 29 at 8 pm: $35
Tues & Wed at 8 pm: $15
Thurs at 8 pm: $20
Fri & Sat at 8 pm: $25
Sat at 2 pm and Sun. 2 pm & 6 pm: $20
($4 discount for seniors, students and CAEA)

The performance runs 90 minutes with no intermission

To reserve call Rasik Arts, 416-654-9231 or www.rasikarts.com

Rasik Arts presents the World Premiere of A Drop of Blood, an English-language version --written by Canadian Sally Jones -- of the Urdu performance piece, Ek Qatra Khoon.
Originally created by Rajasthani actor Ashwatthama JD, this unique cross-cultural collaboration will run at Artword Theatre from May 27th through June 15th following a performance at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre on May 18th, 2003, as part of South Asian Heritage Month.
"Ek Qatra Khoon" (A Drop of Blood), describes the historic Battle of Karbala and the martyrdom of the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Hussein. This is a significant event in Islamic history, and the play draws its relevance to contemporary times by highlighting how vitally important it is for us to understand our past so that we may move forward in the future; and exhorts us to struggle for truth and the basic rights of human existence.
Written and performed in Urdu by actor/director Ashwatthama JD, this one-man show has been received with critical acclaim in over 20 cities in India and most recently won an award at the 21st International Fadjr Theatre Festival in Tehran. It now comes to Canada as an English-language performance, devised by Sally Jones, the Artistic Director of Rasik Arts, and performed by its originator, Ashwatthama JD.
"Ek Qatra Khoon" is the culmination of two years of intensive research in Islamic history by JD. As part of this process he lived as a Muslim and absorbed Islamic culture. Imam Hussein became a symbol for him, of bravery, sacrifice, and the fight for truth and justice. He has enriched his script with verses from famous Urdu writers and Punjabi poet Pash, placing Hussein's struggle squarely in our times.
Rasik Arts presents a piece of theatre that challenges us to understand cultural differences, while enlightening us in such a way as to allow us to embrace and celebrate the commonalities of the human experience.
Rasik Arts, founded in Toronto by Sally Jones, is devoted to making the work of South Asian writers and theatre practitioners accessible to people of all cultural backgrounds, and to opening up inter-cultural communication.

MEDIA CONTACT: Josée Duranleau, Duranleau Publicity, (416) 652-7672

		In the Artword main theatre, 75 Portland Street May 27 to June 15, 2003 Rasik Arts presents A Drop of Blood (Ek Qatra Khoon) by Sally Jones, performed by Ashwatthama JD Previews Tues May 27 & Wed May 28 at 8 pm: $12 Gala Opening: Thursday, May 29 at 8 pm: $35 Tues & Wed at 8 pm: $15 Thurs at 8 pm: $20 Fri & Sat at 8 pm: $25 Sat at 2 pm and Sun. 2 pm & 6 pm: $20 ($4 discount for seniors, students and CAEA) The performance runs 90 minutes with no intermission To reserve call Rasik Arts, 416-654-9231 or www.rasikarts.com

	Rasik Arts presents the World Premiere of *A Drop of Blood, an English-language version --written by Canadian Sally Jones* -- of the Urdu performance piece, *Ek Qatra Khoon. Originally created by Rajasthani actor Ashwatthama JD*, this unique cross-cultural collaboration will run at Artword Theatre from May 27th through June 15th following a performance at the Mississauga Living Arts Centre on May 18th, 2003, as part of South Asian Heritage Month. "Ek Qatra Khoon" (A Drop of Blood), describes the historic Battle of Karbala and the martyrdom of the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed, Imam Hussein. This is a significant event in Islamic history, and the play draws its relevance to contemporary times by highlighting how vitally important it is for us to understand our past so that we may move forward in the future; and exhorts us to struggle for truth and the basic rights of human existence. Written and performed in Urdu by actor/director Ashwatthama JD, this one-man show has been received with critical acclaim in over 20 cities in India and most recently won an award at the 21st International Fadjr Theatre Festival in Tehran. It now comes to Canada as an English-language performance, devised by Sally Jones, the Artistic Director of Rasik Arts, and performed by its originator, Ashwatthama JD. "Ek Qatra Khoon" is the culmination of two years of intensive research in Islamic history by JD. As part of this process he lived as a Muslim and absorbed Islamic culture. Imam Hussein became a symbol for him, of bravery, sacrifice, and the fight for truth and justice. He has enriched his script with verses from famous Urdu writers and Punjabi poet Pash, placing Hussein's struggle squarely in our times. Rasik Arts presents a piece of theatre that challenges us to understand cultural differences, while enlightening us in such a way as to allow us to embrace and celebrate the commonalities of the human experience. Rasik Arts, founded in Toronto by Sally Jones, is devoted to making the work of South Asian writers and theatre practitioners accessible to people of all cultural backgrounds, and to opening up inter-cultural communication. MEDIA CONTACT: Josée Duranleau, Duranleau Publicity, (416) 652-7672