Sheema Kermani

Classical Dancer, Social Activist, Theater Director, Theater Actress

Pakistani Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan

Quick Info

ProfessionClassical Dancer, Social Activist, Theater Director, Theater Actress
NationalityPakistani
Date of Birth16/01/1951
Age75 years
BirthplaceRawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan

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Bio/Wiki

Known forBeing one of Pakistan's best-known classical dancers, theatre performers and feminist voices. Founder of Tehrik-e-Niswan Cultural Action Group, a women's movement that uses art and theatre to advocate for women's rights and social change.

Physical Stats & More

Height5' 5" (165 cm)
Eye ColourLight Brown
Hair ColourSalt and Pepper

Educational Qualification(s)

School
  • Presentation Convent High School, Rawalpindi
  • Convent of Jesus and Mary School, Karachi
  • Karachi Grammar School, Karachi
College/University
  • Croydon College, London
  • University of Punjab, Lahore
  • University of Karachi, Karachi
Degrees
  • Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from University of Punjab
  • Master's degree from University of Karachi
  • Master of Philosophy from University of Karachi

Personal Life

ReligionIslam
Languages
  • Urdu
  • English

Relationships & More

Marital StatusMarried

Family

Husband/SpouseKhalid Ahmed (Pakistani TV director, producer and actor)
Children
  • Son-
  • Daughter-
Parents
FatherRetired Brigadier of Pakistani Army, served as chairman of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation
Siblings1
Other Relative
NephewImtiaz Ali

Career

Debut
FilmPoshak (2010) as Madam
TelefilmA Rented Child (2004) as Bee Bee Jee
TVDastak (1986) as Shazia, aired on PTV
Awards
  • Women of Inspiration Award (2012)
  • ACHA Peace Star Award (2013)
  • Pride of Performance (2023)
  • Kashmir HUM Women Leaders Award (2024)
  • National Icon Award (2024)
Notable WorkAppeared in Coke Studio Season 14 music video for 'Pasoori' (2022), which gained international recognition
TeachingTeaches dance and drama at Szabist University Karachi, National College of Arts Lahore, and Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture Karachi
ActivismCo-founded Tehrik-e-Niswan in 1979, a cultural action group using theatre and performing arts for women's rights advocacy. Co-founder of Aurat March. Conducts mobile theatre in low-income areas.

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Sheema Kermani was born in a Muhajir family in Rawalpindi, Punjab.
2. Her parents migrated from India during the 1947 partition.
3. Her father was a retired brigadier of the Pakistani Army and served as chairman of the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation.
4. Kermani was the middle child of her parents.
5. She started learning Indian classical dance from the age of 13.
6. Founded a women-focused cultural and theatre movement, Tehrik-e-Niswan, in 1979.
7. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for her contributions.
8. She gained international recognition after appearing in the music video for the song 'Pasoori' in Coke Studio Season 14 (2022).
9. Her career began in 1975, just two years before General Zia-ul-Haq's military rule imposed strict Islamic laws banning dance and music.
10. She is an exponent of Bharatanatyam dance, a classical Indian dance form.
11. She has worked as an actor in several television dramas, including the popular series 'Chand Grehan' where she played Ameer-ul-Nisa.
12. Tehrik-e-Niswan performed dhamaal, a Sufi dance, at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sindh on 16 February 2022 to mark the fifth anniversary of the 2017 suicide blast.
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