A couple of book fairs, two exhibitions, one of paintings and the other of photographs, a theatre festival and a condolence reference for Mushfiq Khwaja, a prominent litterateur, were the main highlights of cultural activities in Lahore this past week.
Every year, a number of book fairs are held in Lahore, where books on discounted prices are put on sale. Two such book fairs were held in the city last week, namely the five-day SAARC International Book Fair-2005 and the two-day Education Expo-2005 organised by over 60 universities and institutions of higher learning from Pakistan and UK, US, France and Australia.
Over 100,000 new books were put on sale by more than 100 publishers from Pakistani and British, American, Indian and SAARC countries at the fair, which was inaugurated by the Punjab Governor. Other items on display and sale were educational toys and teaching aids. The SAARC Book Fair was organised by Pakistan Publishers and Booksellers Association and the Lahore International Book Fair Committee.
Both the fairs attracted the attention of a large number of bookworms and avid readers who, despite discounts given on the prices of locally published books, found the books on display and sale beyond their purchasing power.
Book fairs are organised to promote new titles published in Pakistan and abroad. However, these fairs have, by and large, failed in inculcating reading habits among the people, primarily because of the prohibitive costs of the books. A book reader in Pakistan with an average means of income and knowledge hungry students from middle or poor classes of society find it beyond their means to purchase a book or two from these fairs, even on discounted prices.
A majority of students has to fall back upon the facilities available at college or university libraries, which are not adequately supplied books and magazines on a regular basis and thus stand in need of immediate replenishment of their stocks. Of the public libraries in the city, with the exception of a few, less said the better.
Lahore has often been claimed as the principal seat of learning in the country where, in addition to several universities, a large number of professional and liberal arts colleges and training institutes are located. Although each of these institutions has its own library, many students have to consult books and reference materials that are supposed to be available at public libraries, which are not properly equipped with latest books.
If we wish to make real progress and become at a par with other advanced countries, we shall have to keep the prices of books within the reach of a common man. The government and the publishers/booksellers should collectively deliberate on how to devise new ways and means to reduce the prices of books in Pakistan.
On March 2 the works of Professor Zubeda Javed, the celebrated painter of Pakistan in the impressionist mode having a unique style, were put for public viewing at Shakir Ali Museum in Lahore. Ms Zubeda Javed (Tamgha-e-Imtiaz) has served as a forceful and dedicated art teacher at the Department of Fine Arts, University of the Punjab.
She has displayed her works at home and abroad since 1963. Her techniques in painting have created transformative impact on her students and have influenced generations of artists in Pakistan. A disciplined executioner of her paintings, she exhibits tremendous sensitivity for form and colour.
On March 5 the French Cultural Centre in Lahore (The Alliance Franacaise de Lahore) sponsored an exhibition of black/white and colour photographs of Tahir Gul Hasan at its premises, the inaugural ceremony of which was attended by a number of persons interested in visual arts. While Tahir Gul Hasan's reverence for the inherent abstraction and purity of black and white photography reveals itself strongly, his colour images always succeed in depicting striking contrasts and interesting subjects. The exhibition will remain open till March 18.
The Book Home Writers Club held a condolence reference for Mushfiq Khwaja, one of frontline literati of Pakistan, whose untimely demise has shocked many literature buffs throughout the length and breadth of the country. A large number of poets, researchers, students of Urdu literature and media persons participated in the meeting wherein speakers fondly referred to the contributions of the late Khwaja to enrichment of Urdu literature.
They paid glowing tributes to the late researcher and teacher, whose death has caused a tremendous loss to Urdu literature.
Rana Abdur Rehman, Chairman of Book Home Writers Club, in his presidential remarks referred to the late researcher and critic's contributions, whose sudden death has left the literary scene in Pakistan poorer.
A weeklong theatre festival featuring plays from Pakistani and Indian Punjabs opened at Lahore Arts Council on March 6 with the staging of Toba Tek Singh, one of the most famous plays penned by Saadat Hassan Manto. Over 50 artistes from across the Wagha border will also perform in about 20 plays during the week. The festival is being held under the aegis of Ajoka Theatre, Lahore.
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