Dohrana: Screening and Conversation between Vikram Divecha and Muhammad Sabbir Ahmad Din

https://youtu.be/iPJFLTASk2s?si=kbr8C7ptqWRwQ8o7 

The session was held at the Lahore Museum Auditorium and was attended by about 100 guests. The conversation centered on their gardening initiative and its evolution into a significant social and creative endeavor. They reflected on how gardening brought them together, fostering both a professional partnership and a deep personal connection. Shabbir shared his experience as a gardener in Sharjah, UAE, noting how his agricultural background, rooted in Pakistan, shaped his understanding of plants and land care. Vikram, an artist, emphasized his vision of creating a “moving space” that would encourage collective participation and social harmony, rather than imposing ideas.

A pivotal part of their journey was the Roundabout Project, which became a site where vegetables like mint, tomatoes, corn, and turnips were grown and later distributed to local families. The initiative not only addressed environmental and food concerns but also sparked curiosity and engagement among onlookers who began documenting and celebrating the effort.

The conversation revealed challenges they faced, including securing fresh water for cultivation, which delayed the project by a few years. Despite these hurdles, Vikram, Shabbir and other gardners persevered.

Shabbir’s talent for poetry and Vikram’s artistic direction transformed the project into a broader cultural initiative, eventually leading to a film that captures their work and relationship. Their story stands as an inspiring example of how art, agriculture, and collaboration can create tangible, transformative impacts in shared spaces.