LAHORE: Ajoka Theatre will hold a two-day festival in connection with the fourth death anniversary of its founder Madeeha Gauhar.

Talking to Dawn, Shahid Nadeem, the moving spirit behind the theatre group, says: “Ajoka is planning to hold a two-day festival after Eid to mark the fourth death anniversary of Madeeha Gauhar.”

In view of the 75th Independence Day celebrations, the festival will include Ajoka’s history plays such as Anhi Mai Da Sufna, (about the people left behind during Partition), Kaun Hai Yeh Gustakh, (about the life and suffering of Manto) and Mera Rang day Basanti Chola, (on freedom fighter Bhagat Singh).

He says the festival will also include a documentary on Madeeha’s contribution to socially meaningful theatre. Eminent theatre personalities from India will also be invited to participate, on ground or online. The festival will be held in May at Alhamra and will also mark Ajoka’s 38th birthday, he says.

Shahid Nadeem says the death anniversary [of Madeeha] falls on April 25 and owing to Ramazan, “we are planning to hold the festival after Eidul Fitr.”

He says Punjabi writers, artistes and dramatists from across the border are also expected to participate.

He says Ajoka will also stage a play Suicide Button, an outcome of Ajoka’s writing and acting class production. He says the play is not part of the festival and it will be a separate event.

Ajoka has been holding three-month long acting and writing courses. The students after every three months come up with a production. Many new artistes have been introduced by Ajoka through these acting and writing classes. Shahid Nadeem is writing a new play as well which will be staged later this year.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2022