THE MOONRISE REVIEW
Series Review — Razia |रज़िया |رضیہ
The skeletons in our closet are tumbling out
⚠️Warning : This series is not for those who are afraid to face the truth about sexism and misogyny.
Amidst a wave of emotions, of loss of dreams, of the constant burden of the traditional womanhood, I can picture a deeply tired Razia asking this question -
Kitni girhein kholi hai maine?¹/How many knots have I untied?/कितनी गिरहें खोली है मैंने?/کِتنی گِرَہیں کھولی ہیں مَیں نے؟
Kitni girhein abb baaki hai? /How many still remain?/कितने गिरहें अब बाकी हैं?/کِتنے گِرَہیں اب باقی ہیں؟
A shiny pair of gold bangles to adorn her arms — was Razia’s mother’s first thought when her daughter was given prize money for getting first rank in the board exams. Razia, reluctantly, finds herself with no choice but to succumb to the grip of customs and traditions. Funds for education are not more important than wedding jewelry, right? Zeewar-zeewar kehte — kehte voh reet-riwaz ki rassiyon mein jakadi gayi’. (While they kept calling it ‘jewelry’, she was tied down by the ropes of tradition.)
The emotions conveyed in this mini-series, ‘Razia,’ resonate precisely as Gulzar described in his poem, ‘Kitni Girhein.’ It portrays how a woman can be burdened with the weight of her own womanhood. She is lauded, but often limited to the realms of poetry and attributed kindness and beauty, only to be rendered powerless by these very emotions.
Razia is a story that deals with difficult and challenging topics. It is also more likely to deter antifeminists, which is probably a good thing.
The series, written and directed by Mohsin Ali and produced by Hina Aman and Kamran Afridi, with background music by Mohsin Allah Ditta, stars Mahira Khan, Momal Sheikh, Mohib Mirza, and Shaheera Jalil Albasit. It is a bold and captivating attempt to showcase an otherwise ordinary story. What makes it extraordinary is its seamless integration into the lives of women who share these experiences, transcending cultural boundaries.
The series opens at a fair, where our narrator, portrayed by Mahira Khan, begins by rhythmically beating her drums, beckoning the crowd to lend an ear to her story.
What is this story about? It steers clear of the typical Family conflicts, avoids glorifying aggression, and instead, the Narrator calls upon the entire assembly to listen. She addresses those who are part of the issues she’s about to narrate and those who remain silent, as well as those who witness these events gradually unfolding in their own lives and the lives of countless women around them. It’s as if you’re in a mirrored infinity room, with events falling like dominos around you. This story will leave you stunned when you least expect it, making you realize, that maybe you have accepted some kinds of misogyny in your life.
This narrative is a dangerous zone for anyone attempting to provide pseudo-logical, passive-aggressive, or over-explanatory responses to these assertions. Razia is a strong and independent woman unafraid to challenge the status quo but also someone who does get tired of all of the bullying which comes in just by breathing as a woman.
The narrator, armed with incisive dialogue, relentlessly challenges the conventional family structure. They question why the finest portion of a meal always finds its way to the most ‘important’ men in the household. They demand to know why Razia can’t simply hop on a bicycle at the age of 10, a size that’s evidently significant enough to concern those who think they must protect her from the ‘bad guys’ outside the house.
The skillful use of irony and satire vividly exposes the shallowness in the idea that women are limited to their homes to protect them from the ‘bad guys’ that supposedly fill the streets. It makes us question the validity of such a restrictive world which humans have created for themselves. Is this how we want half of our population to live?
This series evokes a sense of claustrophobia as Razia endures domestic violence, her marriage orchestrated to conceal her brother’s questionable actions. The birth of her daughter Sawera (a name which means ‘morning’) gives Razia the wind beneath her tied wings. Rising from divorce, she begins with her newly found courage, this time on her own terms. As her daughter grows, they both break free, unlocking doors to freedom symbolized by a shared dream — riding a bicycle.
Enhanced by exceptional cinematography, you’ll see Razia’s small but significant triumphs. From getting her own bicycle to graduating from school, making a dear friend, and experiencing a unique kind of fairy tale in the realm of freedom, this narrative unfolds with striking visuals and is certainly a story that I will cherish forever.
A brave, real and unafraid series which will make you question the reality of our world, you will see what you see everyday but differently.
Watch this series to see how Razia unties the knots in her life. Let it choke you, leave you crying and also give you hope that no matter what — there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
