LAHORE CULTURAL DIARY: Mela Chiraghaan, dance & a music concert and Mehdi Hasan's lament

Three exhibitions of paintings and one of jewelry, a dance performance, a classical music concert, Mehdi Hasan's press conference and Mela Chiraghaan were the highlights of the week under review.

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Despite the gloom caused by the defeat of Pakistan Cricket Team in the 5th ODI on March 24, the vivacious citizens of Lahore, in a fairly large number, attended several cultural events sponsored by different organizations this past week.
The lacklustre celebrations of March 23, the day on which the historic Lahore (later Pakistan) Resolution was unanimously adopted in the annual session of the then All India Muslim League 64 years ago have raised many eyebrows. Those who noticed this lapse thought the lack of enthusiasm among the people in celebrations was engineered by the government, which was tantamount to degrading the importance of the Day that formed the basis for the creation of Pakistan. In their estimation, the Day was virtually ignored by the government.
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The annual 3-day Urs (death anniversary) of Sufi poet Shah Husain, also known as Mela Chiraghaan, was celebrated in Lahore on March 27 with usual fervour. Thousands of devotees congregated at the mazaar of Shah Husain near the famous Shalimar Gardens to pay their respects to the late mystic poet, who had devoted his life to spreading the message of love and universal brotherhood of mankind. Born in 1538 inside Bhatii Gate, Lahore, Shah Husain received his religious education from the known scholars of time. A contemporary of Emperor Akbar, he concentrated on learning Islamic jurisprudence and Hadith and at the age of 36, he revolted against religious ritualistic traditions and renounced his association with things of mundane nature.
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On March 27 classical vocalist Naseeruddin Mehmood Saami of Delhi gharana and the up-and-coming kathak dancer Adnan Jehangir enthralled the standing-room-only audience comprising art lovers at the Dorab Patel auditorium of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. The occasion was the opening ceremony of the 8-day Mateela Film Festival.
A pupil of Bina Jawwad (the driving force behind the organization of several dance performances and music concerts in Lahore under the auspices of the Society of Classical Arts) Adnan recently toured India, where his performances were much appreciated. A photographer by avocation and a student of design at the National College of Arts, he presented three dances, one in the kathakali style and the other two choreographed by him and his mentor.
Kathakali is the culmination of a long process of trans-cultural pollination in the sub-continent during the 800-year Muslim rule, especially when the Mughals remained at the helm of affairs. It has no links with the arts of the temples as erroneously believed by some. This dance form, which means story-telling through the movements of human limbs, was brought into India by the Uzbek, Tajik and Kazakh soldiers and was subsequently introduced in the royal courts, where it received state patronage.
Ustad Naseeruddin Saami rendered the pentatonic raga Sohni, which was followed by a thumri each in raga Khammach and Bhairveen. A descendant of the famous Delhi gharana of classical musicians, Saami's renditions of classical compositions were drenched in his mellifluous voice, which almost completely lulled the listeners to sleep. He surprised the audiences by singing thumris, which he rendered feelingly. Thumri, it may be added is being pushed into historic oblivion in Pakistan.
Only one short film, Flight of Nurjahan Akhlaq, was screened on the first evening of the festival. The dance and music concerts were used as a curtain raiser for the film festival. (More on film festival next week)
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Tributes were paid to two TV artistes on March 25 at two separate functions held in the city. Begum Khurseed Mirza was remembered at a book launching ceremony for her contributions to sub-continental cinema and television drama. The late actress/social worker was praised for distributing joys among the people.
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The same evening friends of late Muhammad Nisar Husaio (MNH), an outstanding producer/director of teleplays and long TV plays, convened a meeting at which glowing tributes were paid to his creative ingenuity, which had won him laurels in Pakistan and abroad. A number of his plays, which were shown at international festivals also won him kudos from foreign viewers.
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The 415th death anniversary of Punjabi legend Dullah Bhatti, who stood up against the tyranny of the despotic emperor, was observed at the Miani Sahib graveyard where he was buried after his execution by the royal soldiers. Floral wreaths were placed on the grave of the Punjabi freedom fighter. The Dullah Bhatti Academy of Lahore organized the commemorative function as in previous years.
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Exhibitions held in the city during the week included Seema Iftikhar's jewelry exhibition at Zamana Interiors showroom, the display of the works of Fadhil H. Yousafzai at the Croweaters Gallery and an exhibition of watercolour and mixed media paintings by Muhammad Shafiq at the Nairang Galleries.
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Ghazal maestro Mehdi Hasan addressed a press conference at the Lahore Press Club on March 27 to vent his frustrations. He claimed that he had not received any financial assistance from the government despite the announcements to this effect by the President of Pakistan and the Governor of Sindh. In a voice choked with emotions, he conveyed to media persons his woeful tale that has caused him miseries. His two sons, who assisted their father at the Press Conference, claimed that tthey would take Mehdi Hasan t India for treatment.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2004