Ajoka Theatre

Gauhar was born in 1956 in Karachi. After she obtained a Master of Arts degree in English literature, she moved to England where she obtained another master's degree, in theatre sciences at the University of London.[1][5][7] In 1983, after returning to Lahore, Gauhar and her husband Shahid Nadeem founded Ajoka Theatre, the first theatre group of significance there.

In 2007, Ajoka performed a piece that was written and directed by Gauhar, called Burqavaganza (Burqa-vaganza), which led to great controversy. Actors dressed in burkas put themes on the stage like sexual discrimination, intolerance and fanaticism. From a Western perspective, the piece was a rather innocent performance on hypocrisy of a society that bathes in corruption. In her own country though, Members of Parliament called for a ban of it, and the Minister of Culture threatened with sanctions when it would be staged any longer. In spite of the ban, non-governmental organisations and women's rights activists had the theatre piece translated into English and staged performances internationally as a sign of support to Ajoka.[8][9]

On 23 August 2008, Alhamra Arts Council hosted the launch of Selected Plays published by Oxford University Press (OUP) and written by Shahid Nadeem with the help of Ajoka.[10] The book contains seven of his famous plays Teesri Dastak, Barri, Aik Thi Nani, Kala Meda Bhes, Dukhini, Bulha and Burqavaganza.[11] The book again launched at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), Islamabad on 25 August 2008 with the help of Pakistan Academy of Letters.[12] His book, Selected Plays, a collection of his six famous plays in an English translation was published by OUP in August 2008.[13] Two collections of his Urdu and Punjabi plays has been published.[14]

In 2012, Nadeem wrote a play Kaun Hai Yeh Gustakh,[15] directed by Madeeha Gauhar and first played at Alhamra Arts Council, Lahore on 14 December by Ajoka. The play is based on the life of Saadat Hassan Manto, and was well received by audiences. Manto was played by Naseem Abbas.[16] In January 2013 the play was presented at the Akshara Theatre in New Delhi, India.[17] The play was due to be presented at the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi but was cancelled due to security concerns.[18] In February 2013, play was held at Nishtar Hall, Peshawar by Ajoka.[19]

Ajoka Theatre has staged several theatrical performances, mostly all plays have been adapted or written by Madeeha Gauhar and Shahid Nadeem.

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