Ajoka Theatre's Madeeha Gauhar passes away

The founder of Ajoka theatre had been fighting cancer for three years

Updated 25 Apr, 2018

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.

Comments

Huma Apr 25, 2018 10:09am

RIP

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Nasir Askar Apr 25, 2018 10:17am

KB Apr 25, 2018 10:25am

RIP. She was a good artist

Ali Raza Apr 25, 2018 10:50am

Very good actor and a peace ambassador, Big loss.Condolences to family and loads of prayers for her departed soul.

ahmad Apr 25, 2018 11:09am

R.I.P

Junaid Ali Apr 25, 2018 11:14am

Never heard of her but anyway RIP

RWS Apr 25, 2018 11:36am

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.

Rameay Apr 25, 2018 11:43am

Very respectable lady. May Almighty rest her soul in peace.

Rubina Apr 25, 2018 11:47am

Sad news. She was a great actress and will be missed as now we don't produce actors of such caliber.

Ahmad Apr 25, 2018 11:50am

RIP. Great lady who served art and culture in a country where the space of culture is shrinking continuously.

Imran Apr 25, 2018 12:10pm

very sad to hear that. RIP

mann Apr 25, 2018 12:26pm

Rest in Peace. She was true peace warrior. She will be remembered very fondly in the sub-continent for her work.

Mansoor Apr 25, 2018 12:43pm

We lost a great artist and humanist. Rest in peace Madeeha.

SkyHawk Apr 25, 2018 12:48pm

Very sad news. She has one younger sister Faryal Gohar who is also a very talented TV celebrity.

Pragmaticpakistani Apr 25, 2018 01:01pm

A big loss for all serious art lovers. RIP

susanta majumdar Apr 25, 2018 01:52pm

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.

Anita Anthony Raj Apr 25, 2018 02:37pm

May her soul rest in peace. Amen

Rohit Joshi Apr 25, 2018 03:00pm

RIP Madeeha Gauhar. Great loss to this sub continent.

Abdul zaheer Apr 25, 2018 03:16pm

Fauzia Zubair Apr 25, 2018 05:05pm

So sorry to read about Madeeha Gauhar's passing. Our loss.

Pakistani1971 Apr 25, 2018 09:18pm

RIP...she was a great artist!

Aiza Apr 25, 2018 11:29pm

This is very sad and too soon! Remember Madeeha Gauhar as the young and beautiful lady with spine and intelligence. A big loss to the independent art scene in Lahore. My heart goes to sister Faryal Gauhar who herself has made a name as an artist and activist and her immediate family. RIP.

hnmirza Apr 26, 2018 08:45am

RIP Madeeha Gauhar! It's sad that the younger generation is unaware of her plays and her charming and captivating presence that once adorned the PTV screens.