LAHORE: Acclaimed theatre and TV actor Nadia Jamil has been bestowed with the first Shahkaar Award which is meant for performing art practitioners who have valiantly fought against traumas or illness.

The award was announced by retired Justice Nasira Javed Iqbal at a ceremony conducted through Zoom. The award has been launched by the Ajoka Theatre and Shahkaar Higher Education Research Hub in memory of veteran actor Arshad Durrani who passed away two years ago.

Nadia, a prominent actor, an anchor and a child rights activist, has been fighting against illnesses and disabilities from a young age. She has recently recovered from coronavirus and is a cancer survivor. Nadia started performing as a school student and played major roles in plays by Ajoka Theatre, NAPA and Olomopolo. She has acted in a number of popular TV plays and telefilms and also in art films including “Raat Chali Hai Jhoom Ke” and “Beauty Parlour”. Nadia is also known for her bold views on feminism and the “Me Too” movement.

Young actor and activist Sibte Hassan of Makhotay Theatre was declared winner of the Shahkaar Theatre Excellence Award for his commitment to socially meaningful theatre.

Sibte Hassan started his career as a theatre activist while he was a student at the Punjab University. He has played major roles in Ajoka’s plays. He founded Makhotay Theatre which has performed plays on social and political themes and organised theatre for social change workshops. He is also an active member of the Peoples’ Students Federation.

The names of the winners were announced by the Awards Selection Committee chairperson retired Justice Nasira Javed Iqbal. Other members are Ajoka’s Executive Director Shahid Nadeem, Ajoka chairperson Zara Salman, visual artist Saira Dar and Ajoka Institute Director Nirvaan Nadeem. Sumaya Durrani was also present.

Nasira Javed said it was of vital importance to acknowledge and encourage theatre and performing artists. He congratulated Ajoka for launching the awards and hoped that this initiative would inspire young artists to pursue their careers in performing arts. The awards will be presented to the winners at a special ceremony in January 2021.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2020