Ajoka Theatre's founder and Artistic Director Madeeha Gauhar has passed away in Lahore after a three-year battle with cancer, according to reports. She was 61.
The actor, director and activist was well known for her commitment to theatre for social change and promoting peace between Pakistan and India. She set up Ajoka theatre in 1984 and regularly collaborated with Indian artists.
Ajoka's plays have addressed issues related to human rights, especially women's issues such as female literacy, honour killings, rights of the girl child, health and family planning. Toba Tek Singh, Aik Thi Nani, Bulha, Letters to Uncle Sam, Mera Rang de Basanti Chola, Dara, Kon Hai Yay Ghustakh and Lo Phir Basant Ayee are among Ajoka’s most memorable plays. Ajoka has performed all over the world, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Oman, Iran, Egypt, Hong Kong, the US, UK and Norway.
She was the first Pakistani to get the prestigious Prince Claus Award for her leadership of Ajoka, which was praised by the organisers of the Dutch prize for "[withstanding] pressures from the political and religious establishment, and [remaining] committed to the cause of theatre for social change." She was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize from Pakistan in 2005.
She is survived by her husband, veteran writer and director Shahid Nadeem and two sons, Sarang and Nirvaan.
Her funeral prayers will be offered tomorrow at 5pm at her Lahore residence.
RIP
RIP
RIP. She was a good artist
Very good actor and a peace ambassador, Big loss.Condolences to family and loads of prayers for her departed soul.
R.I.P
Never heard of her but anyway RIP
Really sad. She was one of the few people keeping traditional performance arts alive in Pakistan including Sheema Kirmani and Sania Saeed. I hope her tribe keeps her legacy alive. RIP.
Very respectable lady. May Almighty rest her soul in peace.
Sad news. She was a great actress and will be missed as now we don't produce actors of such caliber.
RIP. Great lady who served art and culture in a country where the space of culture is shrinking continuously.
very sad to hear that. RIP
Rest in Peace. She was true peace warrior. She will be remembered very fondly in the sub-continent for her work.
We lost a great artist and humanist. Rest in peace Madeeha.
Very sad news. She has one younger sister Faryal Gohar who is also a very talented TV celebrity.
A big loss for all serious art lovers. RIP
As a theatre lover from India I feel sad not have had an opportunity to see her plays. Hope, many others will sustain her tradition and works for future generations. My heartfelt condolences to her family and Pakistan's theatre lovers.
May her soul rest in peace. Amen
RIP Madeeha Gauhar. Great loss to this sub continent.
RIP