Sheema Kermani
شیما کرمانی
Kermani performing at the Sufi Conference in Sindh
Born (1951-01-16) 16 January 1951
Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
Occupations
  • Classical dancer
  • social activist
  • theater director
  • actress
Years active1959–present
HonoursPride of Performance (2023)

Sheema Kermani (also spelled Kirmani) (Urdu: شیما کرمانی; born 16 January 1951) is a Pakistani classical dancer and social activist.[1] She is the founder of Tehrik-e-Niswan Cultural Action Group (Women's Movement).[2] She is also an exponent of Bharatanatyam dance.[3][4] Kermani is known as a renowned classical dancer, choreographer, dance guru, theatre practitioner, performer, director, producer, and TV actor based in Karachi, Pakistan. She advocates on culture, women's rights,[5] and peace issues.

Her pioneering contribution to the promotion of culture and theatrical performances in Pakistan since 1978 have led to international acclaim.

Early life and education

Kermani was born on 16 January 1951 in Rawalpindi, Punjab. Her father served in the Pakistan Army, retiring as a brigadier and then being appointed as chairman of the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation.[6][7] Her paternal family originates from the city of Lucknow and traces its ancestry to the city of Kerman in Iran, while her maternal side is from Hyderabad Deccan.[7]

Kermani has two siblings, an elder brother and a younger sister.[7] She received her education from Convent schools in different cities across Pakistan where her father was posted.[7] During her school vacations, Kermani would visit her maternal grandparents who lived in India and it was there that she developed an interest in the performing arts.[7]

Career

When she was 8 years old, Kermani started to learn piano and Western classical music. From the age of 13, she began to learn classical Indian dance from Mr. and Mrs. Ghanshyam (a couple from Calcutta, who had set up a center for dance and music in Karachi). She later joined their institute as a member of their staff and performing troupe. Kermani was the only dancer in Pakistan throughout the years of General Zia-ul-Haq's martial law, when dance was banned and came to be seen as an activity highly disliked by the state and the clergy.[8][9]

She received her early education from Presentation Convent Rawalpindi. After doing O-Level from Convent of Jesus and Mary, Karachi, she completed her A- Level from Karachi Grammar School and then proceeded to Croydon College of Art, London to study fine arts. She holds a degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of the Punjab, Lahore, and a Masters and M. Phil Degree in History from University of Karachi,[10] where she is presently enrolled for PhD.[11]

Kermani started learning Bharatanatyam in the mid-1960s. Her first solo performance was at Pakistan in 1984.[12] In 1988, she proceeded to India on an ICCR (Indian Council of Cultural Relations) scholarship and studied Bharatanatyam under Leela Samson, Kathak under Ram Mohan and Odissi under Guru Mayadhar Raut and Aloka Pannikar.[13][14] She also conducts theater workshops under the guidance of theater director Prasanna Ramaswamy in Karachi and heads a cultural organization, Tehrik-e-Niswan in Karachi.[15]

2017 appearances

On 19 February 2017, Kermani appeared at the Shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan after the barbaric suicide attack and performed a dhamal (a Sufi dance form). She gave a passionate performance and told the media that nobody can stop music and dance.[16]

She performed at the Faiz Aman Mela, Lahore where she paid a tribute to Asma Jahangir. She said we can bring peace, harmony and equality by loving each other and by sharing the message of love with each other.[17]

2022 appearance

In February 2022, she appeared in the music video for the song "Pasoori" as part of Season 14 of Coke Studio.[18] This special performance was covered by the leading Indian print media, including ThePrint[19] and The Indian Express.[20]

Social activism

Kermani identifies as a feminist and Marxist.[7] She realized that women in the Pakistani society were not able to get equality in the society so she started a movement called 'Tehrik-e-Niswan' (Women's Movement) and raised her voice for their rights, health issues, education and equality.[21]

Filmography

Television series

Year Title Role Network
1986 Dastak Shazia PTV
1989 Aab O Saraab Bahni PTV
1990 Mai Jioungi Sar Utha Ke Dadi PTV
1991 Guzar Jayegi Raat Aliya Begum PTV
1992 Manzilein Aur Bhi Fehmida PTV
1994 Saibaan Ayesha PTV
1995 Chand Grehan Ameer-ul-Nisa STN
1996 Tum Meray Pass Raho Shahnaz STN
1997 Marvi Safia Begum PTV
1998 Raqs-e-Janaan Lady PTV
1999 Dhundalka Party lady PTV
2007 Khamoshi Jurm Hae Guru PTV
2008 Baitiyaan Ubaida PTV
2009 Saiqa Old Najji Hum TV

Telefilm

Year Title Role
2009 Mazloom Bibi Ji

Film

Year Title Role
2010 Poshak Madam

Tributes and recognition

  • In year 2005, Kermani was selected by PeaceWomen Across the Globe as one of the most influential women of Pakistan,[22] and was nominated for Nobel Peace Prize on her services and contributions for Bharatanatyam dance, as well as, for her pioneering contribution to the promotion of culture and theatrical performances in Pakistan.[23]
  • In 2012, Kermani received Women of Inspiration Award from Wonder Women Association on her struggle and devotion for well-being of Pakistani women and her passion for gender equality.[24]
  • In 2019, Taimur Rahim (a documentary film maker from Pakistan) made a short film (named: With Bells On Her Feet on the life) based on the life of Kermani. The documentary focused on the classical dancer's life and fight for social justice during Zia-ul-Haq's regime and it was released in South Asian Film Festival of Montreal (SAFFM). The film bagged two accolades – Best Short Film and the Audience Choice Award.[26]

References

  1. ↑ "Cultural resilience celebrated at a unique event". Daily Times. 15 August 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  2. ↑ Baloch, Shah Meer (24 June 2021). "'A haven for free-thinkers': Pakistan creatives mourn loss of progressive arts space". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  3. ↑ "What went down at Aurat March 2019 in Karachi". Something Haute. 9 March 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  4. ↑ Raza, Laila; Khan, Muhammad Salman (29 October 2018). "Arts Council hosts 4th Women's Peace Table Conference". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  5. ↑ Sheikh, Fatima (7 March 2020). "'Aurat March is not confined to a single slogan'". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  6. ↑ "SHEEMA KERMANI". KarachiBiennale 2017. 21 October 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Magsi, Mariam (12 January 2016). "I think Muslim men see my dancing as a challenge to them, says Sheema Kermani". Dawn Images. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  8. ↑ Kermani, Sheema (17 February 2011). "Interview of Guru Ghanshyam by Sheema Kermani". Narthaki. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  9. ↑ Hasan, Shazia (4 April 2008). "Celebrating nature through dance". Dawn. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  10. ↑ "KU confers 56 PhD and 82 MPhil degrees". The News International. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  11. ↑ "founders & members, Tehrik-e-Niswan - Women's development through theatre & television". tehrik-e-niswan.org. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  12. ↑ Tikekar, Maneesha (2004). Across the Wagah: An Indian's Sojourn in Pakistan. Promilla & Co. p. 336. ISBN 9788185002347. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  13. ↑ "Sheema Kermani". Wiki Peace Women.
  14. ↑ "Sheema Kermani". The Hindu. 19 June 2014..
  15. ↑ Qamar, Saadia (3 July 2011). "Tehrik-e-Niswan: Passage to India". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  16. ↑ Ali, Z. (21 February 2017). "Nobody can stop dance and music: Sheema Kermani". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  17. ↑ "Matters of peace". The News International. 20 May 2023.
  18. ↑ "Ali Sethi, Shae Gill's 'Pasoori' is bohemian and fresh". The Express Tribune. 8 February 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  19. ↑ Das, Tina (6 March 2022). "How 'Pasoori' dancer Sheema Kermani resisted Gen Zia-ul-Haq by wearing 'un-Islamic' saris". ThePrint. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  20. ↑ Khurana, Suanshu (14 May 2022). "When Pasoori dancer Sheema Kermani used sari and dance to defy Zia regime in Pakistan". The Indian Express. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  21. ↑ "Identity, Performance and Gender in Pakistan". Michigan State University Museum. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
  22. ↑ Sarfaraz, Iqra (25 November 2018). "Break the silence". The News International. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  23. ↑ "29 women named for Nobel Peace Prize". Dawn. 30 June 2005. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  24. ↑ "Award Recipients Women of Inspiration - Wonder Women Association of Pakistan". Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  25. ↑ "Pakistani Dancer, USIP Partner, Lands 'Peace Star' Award". United States Institute of Peace. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  26. ↑ Shirazi, Maria. "Pakistani documentaries win big at SAFFM". The News International. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
  27. ↑ "Top Pakistani celebrities set to receive highest civilian honours". Hum News. 20 August 2023.
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