By Qasim Ali
Lahore:joka Institute, in collaboration with the Punjab Institute of Language, Art & Culture (PILAC), successfully staged “Marya Hoya Kutta” (The Dead Dog), a thought-provoking and socially relevant play written by acclaimed playwright Shahid Nadeem and directed by Nirvaan Nadeem. The performance was held on Friday evening at the PILAC Auditorium, Lahore.The play, presented by students of Ajoka Institute’s Art of Acting programme, marked their first public performance, showcasing Ajoka’s mission to train and inspire emerging theatre artists. With sharp satire and emotional realism, the production explored themes of moral decay, hypocrisy, and human neglect in society.The cast included Ahmad Hashmi, Ahmad Raza, Armaghan Hadi, Usman Aly, Armaghan Ali, Muhammad Ali Butt, Mohammad Owais Sabri, and Ruqayyah Danish Khan, all of whom recently completed Ajoka’s Art of Acting course. Their engaging performances were met with enthusiastic applause and critical appreciation.Speaking about the performance, Nirvaan Nadeem, Director of Ajoka Institute, said, “This production is more than just a performance, it is a reflection of how theatre can awaken social awareness. Our young actors have proven that meaningful art and professional excellence can go hand in hand.”Ghulam Saghir Shahid, Director General PILAC, attended the event as Chief Guest, distributed certificates among the performers, and praised their dedication and artistic maturity. Renowned artist and activist Feryal Ali Gauhar was among the distinguished guests who commended the young performers for their passion and stage presence. Director Programmes Dr. Khaqan Haider Ghazi and Director Dr. M. Asim Chaudhry also appreciated the collaboration for promoting meaningful and socially relevant theatre.A large and appreciative audience attended the event, responding warmly to the play’s compelling message and engaging performances. Through this successful collaboration, Ajoka Institute and PILAC reaffirmed their shared vision to promote socially conscious performing arts and nurture emerging talent in Pakistan.
