Legendary theatre artiste and director Madeeha Gauhar is no more. Quite like the late Asma Jahangir, she was hailed as an icon of Indo-Pak harmony. She was known for powerful theatrical presentations that were keenly watched by people across the border.
She founded Ajoka, with her theatre director and journalist-husband Shahid Nadeem. Ajoka blended western techniques with Indian folk theatre (Bhand and Nautanki) of Punjab. Their work had a far reaching impact on the masses as Madeeha took up contemporary Pakistani issues along with other current subjects. Her classical Brechtian techniques with Manto were impressive.
Unforgettable roles
Madeeha Gauhar did her MA in theatre science from University of London along with an MA in English literature from Punjab University, Lahore. Since 1983, she dedicated her life to theatre. She will always be remembered for her unforgettable roles in ‘Bullah,’ ‘Waris Sah,’ ‘Manto,’ ‘Dara.’ Her famous adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s play ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ in Urdu as ‘Chaak Chakkar’ was staged in many countries.
Many of Madeeha’s plays were banned by the Pakistan government. Some of her popular plays include ‘Mera rang de basanti chola,’ ‘Toba Tek Singh’ and ‘Lo phir basant aaiyi.’ Her play ‘Burkavaganza’ against the ‘burqa’ system in Pakistan raised hackles and was banned.
India will remember Madeeha for a different cause, her plays, ‘Aik thi nani’ and ‘Dukh dariya’ brought together Zohra Sehgal and her Pakistan-based sister Uzra Butt, the two great pillars of Indian Peoples Theatre Association (IPTA).
Madeeha was commemorated with Prince Claus Award from the Government of Netherlands for her contribution to the field of theatre and arts. In 2007, she also won the prestigious International Pasta Award.
In my long association with her, I always found her as a woman with compassion . She was one of the strong voices against patriarchy. Her passing away is a huge loss to the theatre fraternity and to me at a personal level.
