The 21-day “Awami Theatre Festival,” organized by the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony, celebrating the richness of Pakistani theatre. The event was graced by Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, the Provincial Minister for Culture, who attended as the special guest. Also present were Muhammad Ahmed Shah, President of the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, and Shehzad Raza Naqvi, Chairman of the Drama Committee, who welcomed the attendees.
The ceremony was a star-studded affair, with prominent artists like Iqbal Latif, Shakeel Shah, Rizwan Sabir, Shabbir Bhatti, Wajiha Waris, Danish Baloch, Tasneem Rana, Sheema Kermani, and many others gracing the event. The festival showcased an impressive lineup of 26 plays in multiple languages, including Urdu, Sindhi, Pashto, Saraiki, and Memoni, covering a range of genres from comedy to serious social commentary.
Notable performances included Theatre Khuwahish, Wah Sain Wah, Daagh, Geebat, Heer Raanjha ki Chaar Kahaniyan, and Manto Mera Dost among others. Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah praised the festival, calling it a beacon of cultural resilience during challenging times. “At a time when the country faces turmoil, organizing such a magnificent festival in Karachi is commendable,” he said.
He emphasized the Sindh Department of Culture’s commitment to supporting artists and announced a cash reward of 25,000 PKR for each director involved in the festival. Muhammad Ahmed Shah, President of the Arts Council, also reflected on the historical connection between the Arts Council and Minister Zulfiqar Ali Shah’s family, acknowledging the importance of collective efforts to address the challenges faced by artists.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we ensured vaccinations for artists. Legends like Moin Akhtar and Umer Sharif are our heroes,” Shah remarked. The festival culminated with a spectacular performance of “Batwara”, a satirical play by Zahid Shah, which received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
The stellar cast included Shanzeh, Javed Takani, Sidra Sheikh, Jibran Khan, and others, who captivated the audience with their performances. Awards and shields were presented to artists who stood out for their exceptional direction, including Shakeel Shah, Adam Rathore, Saleem Afridi, Zakir Mastana, Parvez Siddiqui, Rauf Lala, and others.
