Hyderabad Theatre Festival Draws Large Crowds with Diverse Performances

Nauman Afandi

Hyderabad: The Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, in collaboration with the Sindh Culture Department, is hosting a 13-day Hyderabad Theatre Festival at the Mumtaz Mirza Auditorium, Sindh Museum, attracting large audiences and showcasing a variety of theatrical performances.

On the fourth day of the festival, playwright Aqeel Qureshi’s Sindhi drama Qeedi Jazba was staged, followed by director Saleem Guddo’s socially charged yet humorous play Muft Mein Bhi Mehnga on the fifth day. The latter, featuring Karachi’s stage duo Zakir Mastana and Shahni Azeem, explored the struggles of citizens facing inflation — a theme that strongly resonated with audiences. Actors Shabbir Murad, Afshan Memon, Talib Mughal, Naik Muhammad Bhatti, Asif Memon, Kazbano, and Tayyab Ali also won widespread applause for their performances.

Distinguished guests included Sindh Museum Director Zulfiqar Ali Panhwar, poet and writer Prof. Mirza Saleem Baig, Adham Rathore, and Nawabshah Arts Council’s Aziz-ul-Hasan Siddiqui. Chief organizer Rafiq Ehsani welcomed the attendees, describing the festival as a cultural gift for Hyderabad, Kotri, and surrounding towns. He noted that more than 130 artists are participating in the event.

Earlier, Long Sheikh’s Sindhi play Zindagi Rang Hazar and Saifullah’s Urdu drama Tujh Pe Jaan Qurban, directed by Ishaq Raju, were staged on the second and third days, respectively. Both productions received praise from theatre enthusiasts.

The Hyderabad Theatre Festival will continue until October 8 at the Mumtaz Mirza Auditorium, with free entry for the public.