The National Horse and Cattle Show dominated the cultural scene in the city. Other activities, which also drew attention of a large number of people, were an exhibition - A Retrospective, Rafe-uz-Zaman- on February 16 and DOORS Sculptors Project on February 17.
The National Horse and Cattle Show (February 16-20) in the course of half-a-century assumed the status and importance of a grand national cultural event because of its rich and variegated repertoire, splendour and beauty. Started in 1953 with the aim to boost cattle breeding and increase milk production, it subsequently developed into an annual gala cultural feature when folk dances, tent-pegging, parachuting, acrobatics, formation flying, calisthenics and spectacular fireworks at the night tattoo shows were added to its contents. It provided an opportunity to the people from all parts of the country to watch the men and animals at their best. The timing of the show this year made it even more attractive, as it was held in a month which heralds spring when cold weather's bite dissipates and summer is preparing to show its teeth.
For a country like Pakistan, the relevance for economic development is an important dimension of cultural heritage strategy as livestock plays an important role in our national economy contributing 43 per cent of the gross domestic products. In subsequent years, marveling on its success, the industrial, scientific and mechanized sectors of the country also participated in the show and displayed their products, demonstrating their expertise in various fields.
Coinciding this year with the 15-day Jashn-e-Baharaan, the Horse and Cattle Show concluded on February 20, when Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali was the Chief Guest. That evening, almost 40,000 people witnessed the two-hour performance of Pakistan Rangers at tent pegging and torch shows.
The Shakir Ali Museum, Lahore, a subsidiary of Pakistan National Council of the Arts in Islamabad on February 16 sponsored a month-long exhibition of the works of an abstract painter to accord recognition to his works titled "A Retrospective - Rafe-uz-Zaman". It highlighted the works of the late artist, which he painted during a period spanning 50 years of his life. The brochure accompanying the exhibition noted that the painter was also an intellectual and a scholar with very receptive ears for Western classical music.
Late Rafe-uz-Zaman was much influenced and inspired by his early childhood upbringing in an alien land (he was born in Frankfurt, Germany) where his parents were studying. This early exposure to the rich cultural and intellectual environment of Europe left an enduring impact on every sphere of his life. Though trained and schooled to be an educationist, he remained greatly enamoured of creativity.
The exhibition will continue till March 16.
Nayyar Ali Dada, a name held in high esteem among art lovers, inaugurated on February 17 at the National College of Arts Lahore an exhibition entitled DOORS - sculptors product by Shahkar Shah in the presence of a sizeable crowd comprising college students, media persons and connoisseurs. The exhibition will remain open till February 27.
Shahkar Shah, an artist of considerable repute, traces his background to a rich culture and traditional values, which he combines with his strong creative skills. In his works, he portrays his feelings and expressions so adroitly that it leaves a deep impact on the viewers. Starting off from painting and sculpture, he has exhibited creative skills, an agility at different levels, which reflects inspiration he had derived from rich cultural traditions.
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