Meet Sheema Kermani: Pakistani Classical Dancer and Activist Detained During Aurat March Protest

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Pakistani classical dancer and feminist activist Sheema Kermani has been making headlines after she was briefly detained by police in Karachi during a protest linked to Aurat March activities. Kermani was among several activists gathered near the Karachi Press Club, where they were reportedly trying to hold a press conference and demand a no-objection certificate (NOC) for an upcoming Aurat March event.

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Videos circulating online showed policewomen escorting and physically restraining the 75-year-old activist, triggering widespread reactions across Pakistan and beyond.
Transgender rights activist Shahzadi Rai was also reportedly detained and later released.

While Kermani was freed the same day, the incident quickly sparked conversations around freedom of expression, women's rights activism and the treatment of peaceful protesters in Pakistan.

For many younger people, especially those who recognised her from Coke Studio's 'Pasoori', the viral clips led to a bigger question: who exactly is Sheema Kermani?

One Of Pakistan's Most Recognised Classical Dancers

Sheema Kermani is widely regarded as one of Pakistan's most influential classical dancers and theatre practitioners. She is especially known for preserving and performing Bharatanatyam in Pakistan despite years of social and political resistance toward classical dance.

Born on January 16, 1951, in Rawalpindi, Kermani comes from an educated family with roots linked to Lucknow and Hyderabad in India. She studied in Karachi before later moving to London to study art at Croydon College of Art. Alongside art, she also pursued history and fine arts.

Her journey into dance began as a teenager in Karachi, where she trained under teachers from Calcutta. Over time, she learned Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Odissi, though Bharatanatyam eventually became her signature style.

Performing During A Restrictive Political Era

Kermani's career became especially significant during General Zia-ul-Haq's military rule in Pakistan, when dance and public performance faced increasing restrictions and social stigma.

At a time when many performers stepped back due to pressure and censorship, Kermani continued teaching and performing classical dance openly. Her work gradually became associated with artistic resistance and cultural preservation in Pakistan.

Her performances were never viewed as entertainment alone. For many supporters, they represented the right to artistic freedom in a deeply conservative environment.

Founder Of Tehrik-e-Niswan

In 1979, Sheema Kermani founded Tehrik-e-Niswan, a women-led cultural organisation focused on theatre, dance and social awareness.

The group became known for staging performances and workshops centred around women's rights, gender equality, education and social justice. Through theatre and public performances, Tehrik-e-Niswan created space for discussions that were often considered controversial in mainstream public life.

Over the years, Kermani has openly identified herself as a feminist and has remained active in women's movements and Aurat March-related activism in Pakistan.

Why Younger Audiences Recognise Her From Pasoori

Outside activist circles, many younger audiences across India and Pakistan know Sheema Kermani from the globally popular Coke Studio Pakistan song Pasoori by Ali Sethi and Shae Gill.

Her Bharatanatyam performance in the music video stood out instantly and introduced her to millions of viewers worldwide. While the song gave her fresh internet-era visibility, Kermani had already spent decades building her reputation in Pakistan's theatre and cultural spaces.

Apart from dance, she has also worked in Pakistani television and theatre, appearing in dramas such as 'Marvi', 'Chand Grehan' and 'Aab O Saraab'.

A Cultural Figure Still At The Centre Of Debate

In 2023, Kermani received Pakistan's Pride of Performance award for her contribution to arts and activism. Even in her seventies, she continues participating in public movements connected to women's rights and artistic freedom.

That is partly why her recent detention attracted such strong reactions online. For supporters, the visuals of a veteran classical dancer being restrained by police reflected broader concerns around protest rights and civic freedoms in Pakistan.

Whether seen as a dancer, activist or cultural figure, Sheema Kermani remains one of Pakistan's most recognisable public voices, someone whose work has consistently connected art with political and social conversation.