Farhan Israli /Jaipur

Arshia Parveen of Jaipur has overcome social disapproval, conservative attitudes and financial hardship to carve out a place for herself in Indian theatre. Over the past 15 years, she has worked in almost every aspect of theatre—from direction and acting to costume, lighting and scriptwriting.

Arshia, the second of three siblings, grew up in Jaipur’s walled city in a family that often struggled financially. Her parents, Raza Hussain and Raisa Bano, supported the family through various odd jobs. From Class 10 onwards, Arshia also contributed by taking up sewing and embroidery work.

At a time when many girls in her locality were discouraged from studying beyond Class 7 or 8, Arshia completed her graduation with the support of her mother.

After graduating in 2008, she joined a private school in Jaipur as a computer teacher. She initially wore a burqa while commuting to work, but her decision to take up a job became a subject of gossip in the neighbourhood.

Arshia Parveen (Extreme right) receiving an award

Neighbours and relatives advised her mother to keep her daughter at home and teach her sewing instead. Tired of the taunts and unsolicited advice, Arshia eventually stopped wearing the burqa. She believed that modesty was not merely about clothing but also about one’s gaze and intentions.

She faced opposition from both family and society, but her mother’s quiet support gave her the confidence to continue.

In 2009, while working at the school, Arshia met veteran theatre personality Hemchandra (Raju) Tamhnakar, whom she respectfully called “Dada”. A familiar name in Marathi and Hindi theatre, Tamhnakar had worked with prominent actors, including Bollywood stars Irrfan Khan and Milind Soman.

Around the same time, Arshia’s mother suffered a paralytic stroke, leaving Arshia with the responsibility of managing and supporting the family. During this difficult period, Tamhnakar became a mentor and guide to Arshia and her family.

Arshai Parveen (second from left) receiving an award

She began with costume designing in 2010 and, a year later, won the Best Costume award for the play Bharatamba. She gradually expanded her skills to music and lighting design.

Her transition to acting came unexpectedly in 2014. During a national theatre competition in Agra, the lead actress of a play failed to turn up, and Arshia was asked to step into the role. The play went on to be adjudged the third-best production at the national-level theatre festival.

There was no looking back.

The year 2015 proved to be a major turning point. Arshia played a double role in Raktbeej, written by Dr Shankar Shesh, in Siliguri, West Bengal. The play has since been staged 26 times across the country and has received more than 12 national awards.

That year, Arshia also directed Prahari, a play written by Dada, for the first time. Based on the psychological condition of soldiers posted along the India-Pakistan border, the production has won more than 40 national awards in different states and has been staged 36 times so far.

Arshia Parveen with her award

Another chapter in Arshia’s theatre journey came full circle a decade after she first encountered Tamhnakar’s Antardwand. In 2009, she had watched the play as a member of the audience at Ravindra Manch. Ten years later, in 2019, she played the lead role in the same production. In 2026, she directed it herself.

The play deals with the serious subject of surrogacy and is now being staged in major cities, including Mumbai.

Arshia’s growing success did not immediately find acceptance within sections of the Muslim community around her. Her late-night rehearsals, interaction with fellow actors and frequent travel to other cities for performances were viewed with disapproval.

She was initially hesitant to perform in her own city, Jaipur. But over time, her work and talent helped silence many of her critics. Today, without government grants, she continues to promote non-commercial theatre in Rajasthan through the Tamhnakar Theatre Academy.

Her interests extend beyond theatre. Arshia has written research-based features on the tribal regions of Banswara and Dungarpur for Rajasthan Tourism and has also been regularly contributing a column to a Delhi-based media organisation.

Arshia Parveen receiving an award

Since 2013, she has been associated with Jaipur-based social organisation RAYS, which works for the rehabilitation of HIV-positive and abandoned children. She serves as a counsellor and theatre teacher for the children.

Arshia completed her postgraduate studies at the University of Rajasthan and later obtained a diploma in film and theatre acting from Bharat Sevak Samaj in Chennai. She has performed in 18 states and received awards and honours at national theatre festivals in Goa, Assam, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

She was recently appointed National Secretary of the All India Culture Foundation.

On January 31, Arshia’s mentor, Raju Tamhnakar, passed away. Determined to carry forward his legacy, she organised the Hemchandra Raju Tamhnakar Smriti Natya Samaroh, at which the solo play Vyatha Angraj Karn Ki was staged. She also serves as General Secretary of the Tamhnakar Theatre Academy.

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Arshia now wants to use her experience to help other young women. She hopes to work with underprivileged girls who are forced to leave school because of social pressure. At the same time, she wants to strengthen the financial foundations of theatre and create better opportunities for emerging artists.