Staff Reporter
Lahore:Punjab has been the cradle of theatre arts in history but unfortunately our folk theatre has almost disappeared due to neglect by the authorities and lack of patronage by society, said playwright Shahid Nadeem. He was speaking at panel on the Punjab’s folk theatre held at the international theatre festival at Alhamra on Tuesday. Shahid Nadeem talked about the sanctity of performing arts since the times of Harrappa civilization and the golden period of travelling folk theatre which dominated the entertainment scene till 19670s. He paid tribute to the legends like Alam Lohar, Inayat Hussain Bhatti, Tufail Nizai, Ashiq Jutt and Bali Jatti.The theatre presented by traveling groups performed at melas, Urs celebrations and rural mandis. The audience had community entertainment as well as pride in their identity.
Shahid Nadeem, who heads Pakistan’s leading Ajoka Theatre, said Ajoka had always related to the traditional theatre and merged it with contemporary social themes. He expressed his dismay at the lack of support from arts councils in Punjab and promoting folk theatre and supporting the artists in rural areas.
Earlier Shahid spoke at another panel held at the Festival, on Society and Theatre, Shahid stressed the importance of theatre as a means of providing meaningful entertainment and inspiring it’s audience to bring about social change. He however pointed out that good theatre avoids crude propaganda and should be respectful to it’s audience. Poet and scholar Asghar Nadeem also spoke on the occasion while Mass Theatre head Amir Nawaz was the moderator.The festival which ended on Wednesday opened with “Ye Aurtain Kahan Gaeen’, a play by Alhmara-Ajoka Theatre Workshop, which received standing ovation.
