Kashmir’s theatre artist who marked her name in national artists’ list

Kashmir is lucky to have some talented women theatre artists who not only enthral the people of Valley but have also entertained people at national level with their performances.
One among them is Aabida Haroon who has been doing theatre over the past 10 years and participated in dramas and plays. Born and brought up in Batamaloo area in Srinagar, Aabida is a national cultural artist.
From a very young age she was interested in taking part in cultural programs despite having limited platforms. She joined as a stage artist when she was studying in 12th class.
Aabida would participate in co-curricular activities during her school days, which boosted her confidence. Now, she is a theatre and performing artist at DD Kashir and All India Radio Srinagar.
She also performs at national level theatre festivals and events and leads a group of artists. She is also a resource person for several cultural and theatre programs and workshops.
“When I was a student there were very limited platforms and there was no exposure to the technology but despite that I started performing at the state level then,” she said.
Later, she joined Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art Culture and Languages which proved to be the best platform where she improved her skills.
Aabida did her graduation from Government Degree College Bemina and later completed her masters in Journalism and Mass Communication.
She is now pursuing masters in Folklore, Art and Cultural Studies through IGNOU. “I am very passionate about my Kashmiri culture. That is why I choose this platform,” she said.
Aabida has performed as a lead role artist in plays like Shakespeare, Chronicle from Kashmir, Tengul, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Malnutrition, Women Empowerment etc.
Besides being an artist in drama section of All India Radio Srinagar and DD Kashir, she has worked there in serials like Choti, Dard Ka Koi Nam Nahi and many more.
“The institutions like DD Kashir, AIR Srinagar, Sangeet Natak Akademi, North Zone Academy and J&K Cultural Academy are very important for an artist. Young and budding artists should take advantage of workshops and programs organised by these institutions to grow further,” she said.
Aabida has also participated in Nukkad Natak (street play) in several parts of Kashmir on different themes like education, drug addiction, and other social evils and issues.
She said that Kashmir theatre has been explored a lot over the past 10 years and this change has created opportunities for the new generation of artists.
“Now artists from Kashmir participate at national and international level events which is a proud moment for all of us,” she said.
Aabida believes that young or budding artists should get connected with the local institutions as first thing for an artist is to learn the art and then only he or she can get a platform.
While she was working as a theatre artist, Aabida started Sheen Cultural Society to provide platform to other budding artists in the valley. The society has been organizing programs at state and national levels for these budding artists.
“We organize folk cultural dance performances in which many young artists join us. Before the participation of the budding artists, they are trained and rehearsals are held prior to the stage performances,” she said adding “We aim to connect more and more artists.”
Aabida believes that the government should come forward with a policy to provide the artists with employment and livelihood as artists in Kashmir have sacrificed a lot to keep the culture alive.
“The artists of Kashmir have a great role in maintaining and promoting the local art, culture and theatre and have performed even during the tense environment,” she said.
She said that skilled cultural artists are underpaid in the local institutions and government should take some measures so that they can also earn a respectable livelihood.
“Outside Jammu and Kashmir, there are grants and financial policies for cultural and folk artists but we have no such policy in place. Government must support all cultural theatre artists so that they can further hone their skills and excel in the field,” said.
Aabida said once there is a policy for artists, the budding artists will grow, otherwise they will lose interest in this form of art.
The artist said that it took her around ten years of consistency and hard work to become a national artist and in this journey, she has received dozens of awards and appreciation at mega stages.
She is the recipient of National Runner Up Tableau Artist that she received from Jammu and Kashmir Governor in 2019. Aabida has also received state level award on Republic Day at SK Stadium Srinagar and appreciation for her performance in cultural festival Jashn-e-Kashmir 2023.
She says that her family is the strong pillar behind her success. “My family has been very supportive and my priority is my family. If you want to go ahead in your life you have to go through ups and downs and that time it is family that helps you succeed,” she said.