5 Lessons we all need to learn from Udaari

Love stories and marriage problems are the favorite topics of Pakistani dramas. Mostly, a girl and a boy falls in love but their families opposed the idea of marriage and either they ran from their houses or the girl marries someone else who later becomes a villain. That’s what we all call a “Typical boring predictable story” but still we watch it. Once in a while a drama airs that tells how this platform should be used and Udaari is one of them. It not only highlight the most important issue that our society is suffering from but also raises small issues that we need to look upon.

1- Sheedan is the parent that we all need in our homes:

Sheedan is not financially strong but indeed she is a strong mother who knows the depth of her children. Although, she scolded her daughter Meera (Urwa Hocane) for secretly meeting her love Ilyas but when Imtiaz (Ahsan Khan) attacked Meera and tries to sexually abused her, Sheedan was the one supporting her. When this kind of situation took place in real life, parents usually told their daughters to remain silent and sometimes blame them. Most of the parents remain quiet and don’t raise their voice to protect their “izzat” in the society. Sheedan is a warrior who fights for her children not with her children. Through her actions, she shows that it is not the girl’s fault that they step out of the house but it’s the boys who cross their limits. She maybe illiterate who never goes to school but she believes in freedom of women.

2- Protect Child not Child Abuse:

Child abuse is the social evil that unfortunately prevails in our society but no one talks about it. We don’t feel comfortable in talking about child abuse with our family especially with opposite gender. Udaari encourages people to talk about this social evil like any other issue. This drama is not only creating mass awareness but also alerting parents to look out for people like Imtiaz both inside and outside of their houses. Another lesson is that we should tell our children about what comes under abuse because if they don’t know what is happening with them, how they are going to report it.

3- Talent eliminates all class differences:

Two completely different lifestyles. Two different set of values. Two different way of thinking. But what is common is passion for singing. Talent is the one and only thing that erases the line that divides poor and rich.

4- Stop labelling people:

Along with class difference, another failure of our society is the caste system. If rich people sing, we call them singers and rock stars but when a poor sings, we label them as “Mirassi” and “Domni”. By labelling them, we are out casting them. Udaari raises this point as well.

5- Opportunities for everyone:

An opportunity is a big word for lower class especially for those who live in villages. There is raw talent that remains untouched for life. Sheedan and her family is the example of raw talent. Udaari emphasizes on the point that everyone should be given equal opportunities. It not only raises this point but also give its solution by showing Milli approaching Meera and making her part of their music band. Generally, we are of opinion that these people cannot learn our ways as they are illiterate. Character of Meera is breaking this stereotype.

It’s not just the drama but a learning lesson for all of us in many ways. We all need to educate ourselves about these small yet very important issues in order to make this society a better place to live. Udaari raises the bar very high and I hope other serials continue on this path as well.

Aisha Farrukh, a media student who is currently studying in NUST. She writes on social and political issues.