Pakistani playwright and head of Ajoka Theatre, Shahid Nadeem, delivered an insightful talk titled “Theatre in the Time of Authoritarianism” at the Princeton Public Library. Addressing an audience of Princeton University faculty and scholars, he shared lessons on how socially conscious artists navigate increasing state pressures.
He explained that a performer under autocratic rule must be like a kabaddi player—strong in confronting opponents, yet agile enough to avoid suppression. Humour and music, he noted, are effective tools to present social critique in an engaging manner. Shahid also stressed the importance of drawing inspiration from indigenous heritage and spiritual sources, such as the Sufi stories of the region.
The event was introduced by Princeton Library’s Cliff Robinson and hosted by Princeton University Professor Fawzia Afzal Khan, followed by a lively question-and-answer session. The audience appreciated Ajoka Theatre’s significant contribution to placing Pakistan on the world theatre map.
Earlier, Shahid spoke at a dinner hosted by Mr. Imran Chaudhry, detailing Ajoka Theatre’s journey in promoting peace, human rights, and goodwill through performing arts.
In addition to the lecture, Shahid Nadeem is directing a staged reading of his English play “Lawrence in Lahore”, to be performed by Princeton University students on 19 November. Written in collaboration with Professor Fawzia Afzal Khan, the play explores the little-known story of the famed British spy Lawrence of Arabia and has previously been performed in Lahore, NYU Abu Dhabi, and Montclair University, New Jersey.
On his return journey, Shahid will visit London to give a talk on “Sufism and Theatre” at the Pakistan High Commission on 25 November, followed by a lecture organized in his honor by the London Literary Circle on 29 November.
