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    Azeem Hamid and the Independent Theatre Company

    Azeem Hamid and the Independent Theatre Company

    Written by: Salma Chaudhry
    Posted on: March 25, 2015 |

    The ITC team with Manto's daughters after the performance of 'Kamra no. 9'

    “We are an independent group; we don’t target specific audiences”, tells Azeem Hamid when asked about the origin of his theatre company’s name, The Independent Theatre Company. Trained as an illustrator, majoring in Visual Communication Design at Beaconhouse National University (BNU), and passionate about storytelling and theatre, Azeem Hamid is a youngster of many talents. The idea of the Independent Theatre Company (ITC) originated in 2011, followed by its formal launch in 2012. “It was just a group thing in the beginning – we would do research in various theatre forms and genres, but later, we realized that we needed our own cultural theatre group, with a particular focus on local languages and literature”.

    In 2011, Azeem started teaching at the Beaconhouse School System, Liberty Campus. “Teaching helped me explore the field of theatre, and I learned a lot from that experience”, he adds. In collaboration with Rabtt, a Lahore-based social enterprise, Azeem designed dramatics modules for ninth graders in government schools. “That experience helped me connect with a different segment of society, and I realized how theatre can play a very significant role in empowering kids and enhancing their creativity”.

    Azeem Hamid and the Independent Theatre Company

    Azeem Hamid

    In 2011, along with a group of friends, Azeem experimented with a reenactment of the legendary Punjabi folk tale, Heer Ranjha. “We first did it in front of twenty people to see the response, and later performed at BNU”. The success of the performance led Azeem and his friends to realize that they could initiate a theatre company. Hatak, a story by Manto, was the first project taken up the ITC, and it received a fair response from audiences. Since then, the group has performed at both national and international platforms, on masterpieces by renowned writers such as Manto, Imtiaz Ali Taj, Ashfaq Ahmed, Mirza Adeeb, Krishan Chandar and Rajhindar Sign Bedi.

    Azeem believes that Punjabi theatre holds the greatest potential, but unneeded vulgarity and crude humor has led to its downfall. On the other hand, parallel or social theatre, an alternative theatre form which has flourished in recent years, also caters to only one segment of the society.

    “So far, our audiences have been highly diverse, mostly because our play tickets are not costly”, said Azeem. When asked about the differences between local and international theatre, he candidly pointed out the various technological problems with local theatre houses, but he was confident that conditions will improve with time. “We have the potential to become one of the best theatre performers in the world”, exclaimed Azeem.

    Azeem Hamid and the Independent Theatre Company

    ITC members with the 'Kenyan Contemporary Theatre' team

    In 2014, the ITC performed in Africa, India, Turkey, Dubai and Pakistan. “We were invited (to Kenya) by Kenyan Contemporary Theatre, who took the initiative and invited an Australian group as well,’ recounts Azeem. ITC worked with these two groups to preserve and contemporize Kenyan culture, with a focus on addressing the education crisis, promoting diverse ideas leading to a tolerant society, and most importantly, developing and nourishing the leadership qualities of the participants.

    “Money generated through international trips is reinvested into future projects, and that is how we have become self-sufficient”. ITC also provides a platform for young aspiring artists, who are promoted through various means. The company has sponsored thesis shows of young artists as well. Azeem was excited when inquired about the future projects of his company: “Well, apart from performances and international tours, we are planning to do storytelling workshops, explore qissa goi and dastan goi (storytelling), revive some classic radio and literature plays, and above all, establish a theatre art residency”. Hatak and Kamra no. 9 have been the group’s best performances to date. They have performed in Sanskrit as well, during their visit to India.

    Azeem Hamid and the Independent Theatre Company

    Azeem teaching children an emotion exercise during a workshop

    The small but ambitious team includes Azeem Hamid, Daniyal Rizvi, Ahsan Nasim, Shakil Siddiqui, Uzair Sultan, Zoya Uzair, Namwar and Ishmal Malik. Azeem and his team are quickly making their mark in the theatre world. ITC has given them a platform to explore new ideas and promote their productions locally as well as internationally. The company aims to produce engaging plays that entertain and inspire audiences.

    Azeem’s determination shines through in his pioneering productions. His desire to foster and empower young artists from all segments of the society makes the Independent Theatre Company one of its kind in Pakistan.

    “Have faith in theatre; it will flourish”, says Azeem. “Ignore all social stigmas, just explore and do your thing; and yes, work hard!”


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021