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 Theatre!        لوک تماشا تھیٹر      

 Theater for change.

Few cultural institutions have been able to thrive, even survive in the climate of hostility & apathy towards performing arts that has existed in Pakistan. Loak Tamasha is an exception. Setup by Seraiki Loak Tamasha in1980, during General Zia-ul-Haq’s doctorial regime. Loak Tamasha has struggled with determination against very heavy odds. All governments have been disinterest, if not antagonistic towards socially meaningful art. Conservative elements have been opposed to the very idea of theater and the corporate sector has not played its role in promoting art and culture. But the commitment of the volunteer’s members of Loak Tamasha and its audiences has enabled the group to overcome all hurdles. It has not only serviced despite the absence financial support from the private or public sector; it has dealt with fact grown for strength to strength. It has dealt with bold subjects; experimented with technique and blended contemporary reality a New Theater from Loak Tamasha has also inspired a New Movement in Pakistan.

Today Loak Tamasha is an internationally respected name in the world of theater and its contribution to the promotion of art and culture and the struggle for social justice and peace in Pakistan is well regarded.

Objectives:

1. To perform socially meaningful theater and thus contribute to the struggle for a secular, just, human and egalitarian Pakistan.
2. To promote quality theater in Pakistan by blending traditional theater forms with modern techniques and provide entertainment which has a social relevance

The origin

Seraiki Loak Tamasha was setup in 1980 during the regime of General Zia-ul-Haq. Its first play was “Dharti day Laal” which was performed in a huge public gathering & cultural activity “Maila” at Mehray Wala (Fazil Pur, Seraiki Belt) to attack on the strict censorship law of the Martial Law Regime. Loak Tamasha has never looked back since and is the only theater group which has been performing socially meaningful theater without any break. It now has over 50 plays/ year original plays and several adaptations to its credit. The writer of all plays is Mr. Zafar Khan Lund & Produced & Directed by Farrukh Haidrani..

Organization

Loak Tamasha is a non-profit, non-commercial, voluntary and democratic organization. Its member comes from varied classes and social backgrounds. Loak Tamasha is committed to gender equality and equal rights for all religious and ethic communities in Pakistan. Loak Tamasha activity supports peace and friendship in the world, especially within South Asia.

Outreach:

Loak Tamasha attached great importance to developing relations with Civil Society, human rights groups and community organizations. It has collaborated with organizations working for the rights of women, minorities, the enjoinment, workers, and children’s. Loak Tamasha has regular contacts with Cultural Organizations in South Asia.

Training:

Loak Tamasha regularly held theater-training workshops for community groups and cultural activists all over Pakistan. These workshops have led to the formation of several community theater groups who use theater for awareness and mobilization. Loak Tamasha has also invited theater experts from various destinations to come and held theater workshops in Pakistan..

Loak Tamasha Theater’s Organizations:

1.       Seraiki Loak Tamasha

2.       Hirrak Loak Tamasha

3.       Sindho Bachao Tarla Loak Tamasha

4.       Haali Saanjh Loak Tamasha

5.       Traimet Saajh Loak Tamash                           

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