Karachi has once again begun to vibrate with cultural activities. Theatres are booked, cultural centres are crowded and abuzz with discussions on fine arts. Some of the new restaurants that have opened in the city are attracting guests who like to sit and gossip and remind and refresh memories of the coffee houses of day's bygone.
Three coffee houses; Eastern Coffee House, Fredrick Cafeteria and Shezan Hotel, among many others, which were reference points of the city, are still in the memory of those who cherish many a convivial evenings at these places. They remember them with a tinge of nostalgia. Most of these places succumbed to the greed of those who found cement and sand more valuable than the preservation of their cultural heritage. Except for Eastern Coffee House, the sites of the two other restaurants have now ugly-looking multistorey buildings and house electronics markets. The premises of Eastern Coffee House are in the shambles.
Eastern Coffee House, where student leaders would assemble in the evening and discuss all about communism and its impact on the capitalist world; Fredrick Cafeteria where punters, race-horse owners, bookies and jockeys would assemble to discuss all about their failed luck; and, Shezan Hotel where lovelorn couples would sit and sip cold coffee in a corner under dim lights and often discuss 'In the days when I was dear to you' (Horace - 65-8 BC- Roman poet) are now no more. Reference points of the cultural history of Karachi are no more there. We ruined it.
Many great performing artistes, painters, writers and literary critics of today owe their existence to these 'tutorial' houses and cultural centres.
The performing artistes are promoting the reopening of new cultural centres in rented premises in the city. It is a good sign. Those who are trying to promote cultural activities, belong to dance, music, stage plays and television production.
In the recent past many actors and singers have taken advantage of these privately-owned cultural centres and are now making progress in their chosen fields.
Quite a large number of young men have sharpened their writing skills at these places and many have learned the basics of music, dance and acting. There are many who owe their fame in modeling to these private training centres. Many production houses that are working for private TV channels, have picked up the talent from these nurseries and made them most sought after faces and figures in the catwalk circle and theatre groups.
Those who have availed of these opportunities and used these informal training centres have no bellyache against their exploiters at the initial stages of their carrier. They (learners) say that in the absence of proper training facilities for the performing artiste, including those who do catwalk and modeling for different products, get chances to perform at different functions which is always a blessing in disguise.
This is a kind of trial and error method, which brings them money, some fame, and exposure in the right circle.
For example the model girl popularly known as ZQ has been picked up by a playhouse to act in a drama serial Dhool to be aired from ARY Digital. This model has already created sensation in the fashion circle and is one of the serious girls who are pursuing carrier in performing art. ZQ, despite being a glamorous girl, will perform the character of a non-glamorous girl in Dhool. Arshad Mehmood, Atiqa Odho, Jehanzeb Gorchani and Nomi will be other characters in the serial. Popular actress Marina Khan has directed this play.
Similarly, drama serial "Yeh Mera Ghar Hai", being telecast from ARY Digital, has a number of artistes who have graduated from the modeling stage to the TV stage. Models such as Gia Ali, Fizza, Sana Riaz, Sabita, Ashmal Amber Khan, Hummayun Naz and Palwasha are all from the world of advertising and modeling and are cast in Yeh Mera Ghar Hai.
People in the circle are of the view that the time to establish a performing art school is ripe. To man such an institute many senior actors, educated and trained abroad, are also available. In addition to their availability in the country, some of the best performing artistes can be hired as visiting teachers/instructors.
Since the performing art is becoming an economically viable proposition because of increase in the number of private TV channels, stage plays, and concerts of various sizes, chance of attracting students who can afford to pay fees is also bright.
One reason for this optimism is that carrier options are expanding and many non-conventional professions are occupying the centre stage. Modeling, acting, singing and dancing have attracted many young boys and girls who attend classes at private tuition centres and pay heavy fees.
There seems to be enough scope for schools and training centres for performing art. To begin with, premises of the National Arts Council lying in the shambles can be renovated and used.
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