ISLAMABAD: Television and stage actress, playwright, director of social theater and women’s rights activist Madeeha Gauhar was remembered on the occasion of her birth anniversary on Thursday.
In 1984, she founded Ajoka Theatre where social themes were staged in theaters, on the street and in public places. With Ajoka Theater, she performed in Asia and Europe.
She directed almost 36 plays which were performed in Pakistan as well as in other Asian countries. She was one of the leading actresses on Pakistan’s Television screens in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
Madeeha Gauhar was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. In 2006, she was honored with a Prince Claus Award from the Netherlands.
In 2007 she won the International Theatre Pasta Award. Tamgha-i-Imtiaz was awarded to her by the President of Pakistan in 2003 for her efforts in improving Pakistani theatre.
Madeeha Gauhar died in Lahore on April 25, 2018 at the age of 61 after a three-year illness with cancer.
Born on September 21 in 1956 in Karachi, she obtained a Master of Arts degree in English literature, and then moved to England where she obtained another master’s degree, studying theater science at the University of London.
In 1983, with her studies completed, she returned to Pakistan and settled in Lahore.
