Islamabad, December 21 : Pakistan's Ajoka Theatre has been invited by the Sangeet Natak Academy Kerala to perform its play `Bullah' at the International Theatre Festival.

The play, to be performed by a 22-member group from the theatre, revolves around the life of great Sufi poet Bullah Shah, who witnessed the downfall of the Mughal Empire.

Madeeha Gauhar, the Artistic Director at Ajoka Theatre, said that they wanted people-to-people contact between the two countries to continue so that it could defuse tensions.

She claimed that the group had been promoting peace for the past 25 years, and that they had been staging the play for seven years.

She also revealed that the play's performance in India had gained an extremely supportive response.

"We believe in dialogue and negotiations. An artist's expression is what he or she can communicate through his or her work. The play gives the message of humanity and peace," the Daily Times quoted her as saying.

Madeeha also revealed that they were being advised not to visit India for security reasons.

Recalling that the group had received the same suggestions before their India visit in the wake of Parliament attacks, she expressed hope that the theatre would hold peace and cultural talks to bring the people of the two countries close together.

Apart from Ajoka Theatre, several theatrical groups from Iran, Bangladesh and Afghanistan will also participate at the International Theatre Festival. (ANI)