News Desk
HYDERABAD: Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi and the Culture Department Government of Sindh jointly organized a 13-day Hyderabad Theatre Festival 2025, inaugurated with great festivity at the Sindh Museum, Hyderabad. The festival was formally opened by President Arts Council Karachi, Mohammad Ahmed Shah and the Deputy Commissioner of Hyderabad, Zain-ul-Abideen Memon.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by DG Culture Habibullah Memon, Arts Council Governing Body Member Syed Amjad Hussain Shah, Lok Virsa Committee Chairman Dr Ayub Shaikh, organizer Rafiq Isani, members of the artist community, and a large number of citizens. The program was modified by Dr Ayub Shaikh.
In his address, President Arts Council Mohammad Ahmed Shah highlighted Hyderabad’s cultural legacy, saying Hyderabad has always been the heartbeat of Sindh and a melting pot of diverse traditions. People from India once settled here, and communities speaking Urdu, Sindhi, Balochi, and Punjabi lived together in harmony. Sadly, lines of division were drawn, but theatre and culture can reconnect us once again. Sindh’s culture is thousands of years old, and love remains its strongest weapon. Through art and culture, we must defeat the ambassadors of hate. He added that the Arts Council has activated cultural centres across Sindh, including Larkana and Sukkur, and is now working to strengthen the Mehran Arts Council in Hyderabad. With the full support of the Sindh government, he announced that the Hyderabad Arts Council will host international performers, provide greater opportunities for women directors, and organize free training workshops for emerging artists.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Hyderabad Zain-ul-Abideen Memon expressed gratitude to the Department of Culture and the Arts Council for organizing such a major event. Mr Ahmed Shah always remembers Hyderabad and continues to bring new cultural programs here. Theatre has long been part of our heritage, and I look forward to attending with my family. I invite everyone to join in as well, he said.
Arts Council Governing Body Member Amjad Shah praised the leadership of Mohammad Ahmed Shah, describing him as a symbol, a movement, and a caravan in himself. He noted the strong presence of directors at the festival as evidence of its success and remarked Theatre is the most challenging art form – it is a science in itself. Congratulations to the Department of Culture for making this possible.
The Hyderabad Theatre Festival 2025 will feature over 150 artists, performing in both Urdu and Sindhi. The opening play, Hosho (Urdu), was staged on the inaugural night. The festival will continue with daily performances, including Zindagi Ke Rang Hazar (Sindhi) – Directed by Ramesh Kumar, Tujh Pe Qurban Meri Jaan (Urdu) – Directed by Ishaq Raju, Qaidi Jazba (Sindhi) – Directed by Aqeel Qureshi, Muft Mein Mehnga (Urdu) – Directed by Saleem Guddu, Roshni (Sindhi) – Directed by Israr Laghari, Charagh Jal Utha (Urdu) – Directed by Akram Nave Watayo Faqeer (Sindhi) – Directed by Rafiq Isan i, Samaj Kahan Bahar (Sindhi) – Directed by Shahbaz Baloch, Aandhiyon Mein Charagh – Directed by Khalid Imran, Siaran Mein Ak Charyo – Directed by Kazbano Asif All plays are being staged at the Mumtaz Mirza Auditorium, with free entry for the public. The festival will run until October 8, 2025, at the Sindh Museum, Hyderabad.
