A theatre and cultural production titled Rang Raas, presented by the Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA), brought together performance, storytelling, and music to highlight the lived experiences of Pakistan’s khawajasira community.
Held at the Arts Council Karachi, the production was directed by Muneera Batool and co-directed by Mehrub Awan. It featured performances by khawajasira artists who shared personal and socially relevant narratives through theatre and artistic expression.
The production was designed as a professionally curated artistic experience rather than a conventional awareness event. It combined performance, dialogue, and cultural elements to engage audiences on themes including identity, family dynamics, discrimination, love, survival, and resilience.
The cast included Lelia Kazmi, Bindiya Rana, Lucky Khan, Alina Khan, Dr. Sara Gill and Rehan Akhtar, each contributing to the portrayal of diverse perspectives and experiences. According to organisers, the performance received an overwhelming response and concluded as a houseful show. Audience members expressed a range of reactions, including reflection and appreciation, with many describing the experience as emotionally engaging and thought-provoking.
The production also sought to challenge common perceptions about the khawajasira community by presenting transgender individuals as artists, storytellers, and contributors to culture. Organised by GIA, Rang Raas also served a community-support purpose. Proceeds from the event were contributed to the GIA Phoenix Fund, which supports transgender students in higher education by assisting with tuition, academic expenses, and other needs. Organisers said the initiative aimed to provide a platform for cultural representation and expression, while promoting inclusion through artistic engagement.
