Daily Times

Madeeha Gauhar is no more. And because of that, Pakistan shines less.

She embodied women’s struggle to reclaim the public space. By taking theatre to the streets. Quite literally. But to be sure, this was no gimmick. Gauhar and her husband, Shahid Nadeem, formed the country’s first troupe of note.

Ajoka Theatre was born back in 1983, at the height of the repressive Zia years. And it started as it meant, and indeed, did go on: travelling the path of highlighting social justice, particularly for the most vulnerable. Then, as now, this meant minorities and women. In marvellous defiance of the Islamist regime of the day — its first production was chosen with great care. Jaloos (Processions) explored the exploitation of the masses by both religious and political leaders. Ostensibly written with the West Bengal context in mind — its relevance for Pakistan hardly needed spelling out.

Gauhar was a feminist in the truest sense of the term. She was in it for the long haul. It was not personal glory that she sought. But to create a liberal arts space here in this country. This she certainly achieved. And along the way, she played mentor to an entire generation and beyond. That a number of her students went on to forge careers in the theatre and who still remember her fondly bears testament to this.

Despite having gone to London for her postgraduate degree — an MA in Theatre Sciences from the prestigious University of London, no less — she was never elitist in outlook. Her commitment to introducing indigenous theatre traditions as well as writing plays in local languages, from Punjabi to Seraiki, put paid to any chance of this. As did the content of her art. In addition, Gauhar stood for a secular Pakistan; one at peace with India. It is only befitting that Ajoka Theatre kicked off the year with the important production, Charing Cross, that offers a whirlwind account of Pakistan’s political history; a tribute to the resilience of its people.

And it is the citizenry of this country who has lost the most. For Madeeha Gauhar was one of its very own.  *

Published in Daily Times, April 27^th 2018.