A book fair, an evening with a poet and a music presentation at French Cultural Center in Lahore were the highlights of cultural events in the city. Other notable events included expression of apologies by theatre artistes and a programme to commemorate the birthday of the sister of the Father of our Nation.
A number of book fairs are organized in a year in Lahore by different groups, including students' and publishers and booksellers associations, which are aimed at inculcating reading habits among the people, especially the students. On July 28, the Lahore Defence Authority sponsored a book fair at the Defence Public Library, which was inaugurated by DHA Administrator.
The printed and bound volumes of books, which we know today, is the result of centuries of development in many arts such as calligraphy, drawings, painting and printing. History tells us that the earliest records were scratched on tree bark or leather, or were etched on stone, wood or other durable materials. It took humankind centuries to devise means for storing heritage and knowledge in the form of books. Despite massive onslaught of electronic media, including television and Internet, books still retain their important place and role in the spread and storage of knowledge in many different fields of scientific and creative human endeavours.
Regrettably, book fairs held in large cities in Pakistan have failed in inculcating enduring reading habits among the people, primarily because of the prohibitive costs of books, especially those imported from foreign countries. Even at discounted prices at book fairs, most readers of average means find books beyond their ability to pay. For spreading knowing and enhancing reading habit among the people, we have to keep the prices of books within the reach of a common man. The government, the publishers and booksellers should collectively discuss as to how best to find ways and means for reducing prices, which are exorbitantly high, compared even with countries like India and Bangladesh.
Poet Munir Niazi was the guest of honour at a programme titled Shaam-e-Munir Niazi, which was held at Lahore Arts Council on July 29. Sponsored by the Punjab Council of the Arts, it attracted the attention of several important persons, including a number of well-known singers, who rendered several popular pieces from Munir Niazi's creative repertoire.
A number of literati gathered there in private conversations, expressed their sense of grief over the demise last week of one of the most celebrated Urdu scholars, poet, human rights activist and specialist on Iqbal in India, Prof. Jagan Nath Azad, the Mianwali-born Indian. A true lover of Urdu language, Prof. Azad studied at Government College, Lahore and Gordon College, Rawalpindi. He defended the cause of Urdu in India when, after independence, a strong movement was launched in India in favour of Hindi, which was actually aimed at pushing Urdu out of the country. At that time, late Prof. Azad with the help of a number of heavyweight supporters of the language launched a crusade and defended Urdu. He recommended that it be made a part of the curricular at institutes of higher learning.
The French Cultural Center, Lahore sponsored a music progrmme on July 30, which included recitals of assorted musical pieces by Karen Grilik Noorani, William Kronenberg and Gloria Febro Grilik. Participating musicians presented a dozen different pieces ranging from Mozart's symphonies to Duke Ellington's Jazz. A sizeable number of music lovers gathered there to enjoy good music.
At a programme held on Saturday at the premises of Nazria Pakistan Foundation, Lahore, to celebrate the birthday of Mohtrama Fatima Jinnah, several prominent speakers paid glowing tributes to her contributions to the cause of Pakistan and democracy. The function was well attended.
At an obituary reference held at the Lahore Arts Council on Sunday, glowing tributes were paid to late Ms. Shaista Habib, poet and Deputy Controller of Current Affairs Programme at Radio Pakistan, Lahores. Wife of Fakhar Zaman, President World Punjabi Congress, she died on June 10 in Lahore. A twelve-member Indian delegation came specially to Lahore to join the reference at which a number of poets, columnists and intellectuals of the city participated.
The eight theatre artistes banned last week by the government from participating in stage shows reportedly tendered written apologies to an official of the Punjab Home Department, who had been deputed by the government to inquire into the use of vulgar dialogue and amorous body movements by them during their participation in stage shows.
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