Ajoka Theatre Steals the Show at Asia Festival Opening in Kunming

On May 30th, Pakistan hosted the opening ceremony for the second edition of the South and Southeast Asia Theatre Festival. This event kicked off with an insightful session facilitated by Ajoka Theatre. During this session, viewers were treated to a documentary showcasing four decades of Ajoka’s contributions before transitioning into a discussion led by Shahid Nadeem, who heads both Ajoka and serves as a notable playwright. In his speech, he highlighted how Eastern theatrical traditions have shaped theater within Pakistan and discussed Ajoka’s dedication towards fostering harmony and understanding via artistic expressions.
Erum Nawaee, one of Ajoka’s skilled actresses, then took center stage to share personal insights regarding life as a woman performer in Pakistan. Her presentation was enriched with clips taken directly from performances like “Dara,” “Saira aur Maira,” and “Lawrence in Lahore.”
The evening culminated in an immersive theatre workshop orchestrated under the guidance of Nirvaan Nadeem, director at Ajoka Institute. Through various drama activities such as improvisations and role-plays, participants learned valuable lessons encompassing improved confidence levels along with enhanced verbal interaction capabilities.
A significant turnout comprising numerous learners showcased immense zeal during their participation in these workshops. Organized jointly between Yunnan Arts University based out of Kunming, the festivities are slated to wrap up tomorrow, on May 31st. As part of concluding celebrations, members affiliated with Ajoka plan to exhibit excerpts derived from their production titled “Jhalli.”