The Celebration of the indigenous Culture and Identity in the plays of AJOKA Theatre

Abstract

The writers of subcontinent reacted against the idea of ascendancy under the horrid shades of imperialism by thrashing back the luggage of hegemony and cultural imperialism. Being a colony of British Empire for a long time, they lived and experienced as prisoners bounded in the shackles of European cultures. With their independence as free nation it was compulsory to wash the stains of British culture and rejuvenate their local culture and identity. For this, the writers and artists of subcontinent have been trying to celebrate and promote their native culture and indigenous identity local language at national and international level through their works and presentations. Their participation for the revival of indo-Pak history, culture, heritage and traditions helped them to save and glorify their identity as nations. The present research aimed at exposing the efforts of a well renowned Pakistani theatre, Ajoka theatre for celebrating the indigenous culture and identity of subcontinent in its plays and presentations. Ajoka theatre has revealed to the imperialists through the excellent presentation of its plays that Pakistani nation is rich in its culture. Its depiction of villages, lake areas, local traditions, deserts like “Rohi” labor class, traditional costumes and music is the real picture of indo-Pak culture. Ajoka theatre brought on the sage the characters like Bullah and Dara Sheikho for the reassertion and glorification of their indigenous culture and identity. The study also explored that Ajoka Theatre had worked not only at international level to present the positive image of Pakistan but raised the voice at home ground by touching the sensitive issues like gender discrimination, dictatorship, identity, poverty, class struggle and sectarianism.