Mahvash Faruqi, co-founder of Zambeel Dramatic Readings, passes away

Theatre artist and educationist Mahvash Faruqi, perhaps most famous as co-founder of the acclaimed Zambeel Dramatic Readings troupe, has passed away after a battle with cancer, according to reports.

Mahvash co-founded Zambeel Dramatic Readings in 2011 with Asma Mundrawala and Saife Hasan and gained rapid popularity for their riveting live readings of iconic works by Manto, Ismat Chughtai, Quratul Ain Hyder, Faiz Ahmed Faiz among others.

Their troupe were a regular fixture at cultural events such as the Karachi Literature Festival, Lahore Biennale and Faiz International Festival.

In 2016, Zambeel Dramatic Readings launched an audio series titled Zambeelnama on YouTube to make their readings accessible to a greater audience.

Mahvash was also an active member of the Tehrik-e-Niswan, the Sheema Kirmani-led theatre group that has worked towards women's rights for nearly four decades.

Mahvash is survived by her husband Moeen Faruqi and their three sons.