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Sheema Kermani or Kirmani (born 1951) is a Pakistani social activist (Culture, Women's rights, Peace), the founder of Tehrik-e-Niswan Cultural Action Group (Women's Movement) and an exponent of Bharatanatyam dance.[1][2] She is also a famous Pakistani Classical Dancer, Choreographer, Dance Guru, Theatre Practitioner, Performer, Director, Producer, TV Actor based in Karachi, Pakistan. Her pioneering contribution to the promotion of culture and theatrical performances in Pakistan since 1978 have led to international acclaim.

Sheema Kermani
Kermani performing at the Sufi Conference in Sind
Known for	Activist, theater director, actor, and classical dancer

Kermani was born into a middle-class educated family in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. She went to the Convent of Jesus and Mary in Karachi. Later she went to London to earn a degree in arts and returned to Pakistan. 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.[3]

Kermani's father was a Retired Brigadier from Pakistan Army and a Chairman of KESC(Karachi Electric Supply Corporation).[4] Her education was at convent schools where her father used to get posted.[4]

Kermani started learning Bharatanatyam in the mid-1960s. Her first solo performance was at Pakistan in 1984. In 1988, Sheema 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.[5][6] 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.[7]

Education

Ms Kermani was born on 16 January 1951 [8] in Rawalpindi in an Army family. She received her early education from Presentation Convent Rawalpindi. After doing 'O' Levels from Convent of Jesus and Mary, Karachi she completed her 'A' Levels 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 Punjab, Lahore and a Masters and M Phil Degree in History from The University of Karachi where she is presently enrolled for PhD.[9]

When she was 8 years old Sheema started to learn Piano and western classical music, and 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. Sheema 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. [10] [11]

2017 appearance

In 2017 Kermani appeared at the shrine of Sehwan Sharif after the barbaric suicide attack and performed dhamal (a Sufi dance form). She gave a passionate performance and told the media that nobody can stop music and dance.[12]

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.^{[citation needed]}

2022 appearance

She appeared in the Pasoori Music Video in Coke Studio Season 14.[13] This special performance was covered by the leading Indian print media, including ThePrint[14] and The Indian Express.[15]

Filmography

Television series

Year	Title	Role	Network
1995	Chand Grehan	Ameer-ul-Nisa	STN

Tributes & Awards

• 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 Sheema 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.[16]

• In 2013, Sheema received ACHA Peace Star Award from Oregon-based Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA) on her life-long contributions for peace, communal harmony and women's rights activism, particularly in South Asia. The ceremony was held at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, organized in cooperation with the Pakistan Peace Coalition and the Pakistan Institute of Labor Education and Research.[17]

• In 2012, Sheema 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.[18]

• In year 2005, Sheema Kermani was selected by PeaceWomen Across the Globe as one of the most influential women of Pakistan,[19] 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.[20]

References

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