Tlism Festival to kickstart March 8

Week-long events to celebrate 35 years of Tehrik-e-Niswan.

KARACHI: The Tehrik-e-Niswan will be celebrating 35 years of its inception with the third edition of the I Am Karachi Tlism Festival. The week-long festival will start on March 8 and will feature performances from not only Tehrik-e-Niswan but also other groups.

Kirchi Kirchi Karachi, Kaafir, Manto Mera Dost and Baehrupya are among the many productions that are going to be presented at the festival. Apart from stage productions, the festival will also feature dance performances and panel discussions.

“There are going to be three panel discussions in the festival which are on ‘Women and Mental Health’, ‘Women and Creativity’ and ‘Pluralism and Cultural Diversity’,” Sheema Kermani, the founder of Tehrik-e-Niswan, told The Express Tribune.

In a statement posted on the facebook page of the event, she said, “Also participating will be theatre groups from India — Bhikhari Thakur Repertory from Delhi. The name of this group is taken from India’s great progressive folk theater artist Bhikhari Thakur (1887-1971). During the Festival, you will be able to smell, taste, see and feel the culture of the city of Karachi and learn about its founders and the women and men who helped build the culture of this city!”

She told The Express Tribune that this is the first time an Indian group will be performing at the Tlism Festival.

Organisers of the event had previously issued an open-invite to troupes from all over the country to come and participate in the festival.

The I Am Karachi Tlism Festival will be held at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi with entry into the event being free for all.

Tehrik-e-Niswan (The Women’s Movement) is a women’s organisation in Pakistan, which was formed in 1979 in Karachi by Sheema Kermani. Initially, Tehrik focused on organising seminars and workshops regarding women issues but now they have gradually shifted towards arranging more cultural activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, March  3^rd,  2015.

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