LAHORE: Ajoka Theatre launched a book of its three famous Punjabi plays written by Shahid Mehmood Nadeem at a ceremony organised on Wednesday at the Alhamra Art Centre. The plays included “Anhi Maai Da Sufna” (Blind Woman’s Dream), “Bala King” and “Lo Phir Basant Ayi” based on Lahore’s famous spring festival. Human Rights Commission Pakistan Secretary General IA Rehman was the chief guest on the occasion. Scholars from leading educational institutes including Dr Sobia Mubarik, Ali Usman and Sameer Afzal presented their research papers highlighting the social and constructive facets of Ajoka’s plays, whereas eminent literary personalities such as Professor Ishtiaq Ahmad, Paren Boga, Ajoka Director Madeeha Gohar, Lahore Arts Council’s Executive Director Captain (r) Atta Muhammad Khan, Hassan Jaffer Zaidi, Shaista Sirajuddin and other speakers were present on occasion. Speakers expressed how Shahid Nadeem was one of the most prolific contemporary playwrights of Pakistan and how his plays have made important interventions in the social, cultural and political landscape of the country whilst contributing to humanising it and its people abroad. While addressing the audience, IA Rehman praised Shahid’s contribution for the revival of socially relevant and meaningful theatre in Pakistan. He also said that Shahid creatively highlighted different subjects through his various productions A video presentation titled “A Journey Through Shahid Nadeem’s Plays” was screened; whereas an Ajoka artist team performed the melodious songs, which Shahid had written for Ajoka’s various famous plays including “Burqavaganza”, “Takay Da Tamasha”, and “Kala Menda Bhes’. While addressing the audience, IA Rehman praised Shahid’s contribution for the revival of socially relevant and meaningful theatre in Pakistan. He also said that Shahid creatively highlighted different subjects through his various productions. Shahid’s plays also hold a mirror to Pakistani citizens, and have helped create awareness of what needs to be fixed internally if we are to move forward towards a more progressive future, he added. Messages poured in from international theatre activists, writers and directors who wanted to be part of celebrating Shahid’s work. Theatre Without Borders Director & Co-Founder Roberta Levitow said in her message, “As Pakistan’s leading playwright and as executive director of Ajoka Theatre, Shahid continues to bring humour, drama and insight about Pakistani lives, and our universal human predicament, to the entire world. Theatre Without Borders is always honoured to have your presence at our events, and to consider you a core-member of our international network of theatre artists and practitioners,” she added. A video presentation titled ‘A Journey Through Shahid Nadeem’s Plays’ was screened; whereas performer from Ajoka also participated in singing and dancing on melodious songs, which Shahid had written for his famous plays like ‘Burqavaganza’, ‘Takay Da Tamasha’ and ‘Kala Menda Bhes’ At the end of the ceremony, Shahid thanked all the participants and announced that Ajoka was working on a new play titled “Charing Cross” which will be premiered on January 29 at Alhamra. The play is a musical epic primarily based on the major political and social changes in Pakistan landscape with Lahore’s Charing Cross as a witness, he told. Published in Daily Times, January 11th 2018.