Madeeha Gauhar

Background

Gauhar was born in 1956 in Karachi.

Career

In 1983 she founded Ajoka Theater where social themes are staged in theatres, on the street and in public spaces. With Ajoka she has performed in Asia and Europe. After she obtained a Master of Arts degree in English literature, she moved to England where she obtained another master"s degree, in theater sciences at the University of London.

Ajoka (English:Today) elaborates on the oral tradition of Bhand and Nautanki and found a flourishing base in the area that overlaps the province of Punjab.

In spite of her Western education, Gauhar does not limit her practice to classical Western theater techniques. Instead, she mixes authentic Pakistani elements with contemporary sentiments.

With Ajoka, Gauhar has performed in Pakistan and other countries in the region such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, as well as in several countries in Europe. The most important ulterior motive of the shows is the promotion of a just, humane, secular and equal society.

In directing theater, the esthetical, moral, social and political reality of today"s Pakistan are therefore repeating elements.

Ever returning is the subject of women"s rights in a society that is greatly dominated by mentor In 2006 she was honored with a Prince Claus Award from the Netherlands. In 2007 Ajoka performed a play that was written and directed by Gauhar, the Burqavaganza (Burqa-vaganza), which lead to great controversy.

Actors dressed in burkas acted out themes of 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 spite of the ban, non-governmental organizations and women"s rights activists had the play translated into English and staged performances internationally as an sign of support to Ajoka.

Achievements

• Nominated for Best Actress Drama Serial in a Supporting Role in The 1st Indus Drama Awards 2005.

Membership

In her own country, though, Members of Parliament called for a ban of the performance, and the Minister of Culture threatened with sanctions should it would be staged any longer.