LAHORE CULTURAL DIARY: Book/computer fair, paintings' exhibitions and preview of films
Much in the news this past week was the three-day annual book fair organized at the new campus of the University of the Punjab. National College of Arts was as usual busy in holding exhibitions of paintings and the Pakistan Association of Graduates screened a number of newly produced Pakistani films to select the award winners.
The Islami Jamiat-e-Tulaba, the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami organized its 18th annual three-day books and computer exhibition at the beautiful but far off campus of the University of the Punjab. Beginning on May 6 it terminated on May 8. It has been organized successively by the influential students union in the Punjab for the past 18 years.
Over 100 stalls displaying the latest editions of books and computer models were set up by well-known publishers and computer companies.
The Chief Guest on the day of inauguration was quite logically the Vice Chancellor of the University of the Punjab, whose presence at the fair prompted a large number of students, teachers, deans, directors of centres, principals of constituent colleges, chairmen of different departments and staff of the university, a sort of a command performance.In his inaugural remarks the Vice Chancellor said that the importance of books, despite the invention of Internet facilities, had not diminished.
A large number of ruling and former politicians, including a former governor, a former speaker of the National Assembly, Senators, District Nazims and educators visited the fair, which was organized to inculcate reading habits among the people, especially students. Imported as well as locally produced books on a variety of subjects were put on display and could be purchased by the visitors on discounted prices.
The book and computer fair could attract more visitors had it been held at a place central to the city such as the Lahore Arts Council. Its location, for many bookworms was too far to be computed by buses, rickshaws or taxis. The scorching heat of May also came in the way of many intending visitors, especially those who did not have their own means of transport.
The much-hyped strike by the owners of cinema halls in the country was called off on May 6, after assurance given to a delegation of exhibitors by the Principal Secretary of President General Parvaiz Musharraf. According to knowledgeable circles, the government has assured the delegation that steps would be taken to raise the plummeting standard of films produced from Lahore studios.
Members of the Cultural Association of Pakistani Graduates; which has recently elected Begum Sarwat Shahid Hamid, are currently viewing one film a day at a local cinema to select the best for bestowing its award. The films selected for screening, by and large, were those, which have been evaluated by a committee nominated by the Ministry of Culture, Government of Pakistan that ended its proceedings last month. Taimur Azmat Usman, Secretary Information Punjab, was the guest of honour at the film festival on May 8, when the movie Yeh Dil Aap Ka Hua was screened. The film festival is being sponsored by manufacturers of Yammi Ice Cream. Courtesy behind-the-scene activities of the lobbyists and some of the members of the jury sitting on both the committees to pass judgement on government sponsored and this private NGO selected committee, it is likely that the same films will "win" both the government and private NGOs' awards.
Internet cafes in the provincial metropolis have lately come under severe criticism from different segments of society, especially the teachers, for the alleged widespread misuse of the facility. Heeding to the increasing pressure the Punjab Police Chief is reported to have ordered a survey of all Internet clubs or cafes located in different areas of the city. It is generally believed that these cafes are, with rare exceptions, being used to show objectionable and X-rated films. It is also felt that some of these clubs in the not too distant future might become security risks. One of the measures suggested by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, which conducted a survey of the cafes last year, is to ban the entry of under 15 visitors if they are not accompanied and escorted by their elders or parents.
The one place in the city, which brims with activities, is the National College of Arts, Lahore, almost all year round. Last week it sponsored the opening of two exhibitions of drawings by Cader, a visiting artist from Sri Lanka and Mohammad Ali Talpur, a Pakistan artist on May 6 at its Zahoor ul Akhlaque Gallery. Both the exhibitions were to terminate on May 13. Justice Nasim Hasan Shah, former Chief Justice of Pakistan inaugurated both the exhibitions.
Cader was not a new comer to Lahore. He was here a couple of years ago to put his work on public display. He is a naturalist as was abundantly evident from his works, which he accomplished with mix media.
Talpur's works brim with line drawings, which exhibit his skill at how to use a marker in a creative manner.
Earlier in the week, Hamail Art Gallery sponsored at its premises the exhibition of the works of Abrar Ahmed a self-taught artist from Karachi, who came to Lahore to display his works. The hallmark of his objects was the combination of traditional styles and techniques to create a different ambience - a world of his own. The emphasis in his 33 works on display till May 10 was how an Oriental woman looked in her traditional attire and wearing local jewelry.
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