The National College of Arts, Rawalpindi campus, in the wake of degenerating theatrical activities, has initiated a pleasant move for the revival of genuine theatre in the country. The presentation of "Rung" with Paul Burgess, a UK based expert, as its director on June 30, at the Liaquat Memorial Hall seemed like a step forward in the direction.
The "Rung" was a unique stage play, preceded by a weeklong seminar titled "presence and process aiming to explore new vistas and potentials of theatrical arts." The play was structured in a way that actors performed from behind the screen with the supportive elements of dramatic sounds, whirling and dancing lights, and moving shadows.
The performance was, in fact beautiful amalgamation of dance, music, animation, paintings, sculpture, photography and puppetry. All the selected components were interplayed with a quality of synthesis, aesthetics and expression. It was indeed an excellent production and would definitely attract the audience waiting for genuine theatre for a long time. Suleman Rasheed, a viewer, after having seen the performance commented, "A trend setter indeed". Would the contemporary theatrical groups be able to toe the quality and experiments the "Rung", to compete in the theatre market of the country?
The participating creative people, included theatre director designer Zain Ahmad, Sculptor and set designer Abbas Shah, Computer graphic expert Nasir Malik, Graphic designer Hamid Durrani, Interior designer Aqeel Kazimi, Miniature painter Usman Saeed, Classical musician Shafqat Hussain, Puppeteer Zuba Kichloo and Set designer Shahid Waheed.
The management of the National College of the Arts is asked to re run the show for the general public, as well as the commercial theatre producers of the city, for enhancing awareness of quality theatre.
ZUBAN E YAAR MUN TURKEY:
There is a poetic proverb, 'Zuban e yaar mun Turkey, wa mun Turkey numi Danum'. It means beloved understands Turkish language but I do not. It is the veteran writer, intellectual and scholar of Turkish language, Masood Sheikh who filled the gap and made it easy for Pakistani literary enthusiasts to appraise themselves of Turkish literature in the English language.
Likewise, he successfully converted Pakistan literature and folklore into Turkish language for the benefit of scholars, teachers and students of comparative literary studies there. He has a dozen books, with well research Turkish literature, history, politics and modern strategic developments in the region to his credit.
THE PAKISTAN ACADEMY OF LETTERS, IN RECOGNITION OF HIS LAUDABLE LITERARY:
services, organised an event at his premises this week, which was studded with homage paid to Masud Sheikh by renowned scholars like Professor Kh. Masud, Dr Ishtiaq Ahamad, Iftikhar Arif, Nazar Abbas and Turkish Ambassador Rauf Engin Soysal.
Professor Kh. Masud evaluated the works of Masud Sheikh and termed him as the envoy of peace and friendship between Pakistan and Turkey, and also a source of creative commitment for the promotion of peace and love. Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad of Quaid-i-Azam University termed Masud Sheikh as "Pakistan's most prolific writer", who has been endeavouring hard in producing literary works of high quality even at the age of 79.
Nazar Abbas, a former diplomat recalled his personal friendship and memories, while both were serving in the Pakistan mission in Turkey, and termed Masud Sheikh as "a power-pad of energy and knowledge", who possesses a commitment for Pak-Turkish friendship through bilateral literary awareness and understanding. Iftikhar Arif, chairman PAL commended the persistent efforts of Masud Sheikh who despite decaying age has been striving hard in strengthening Pak-Turkish relations through literary works.
He, however, lamented that unlike in the past, our present generation is not well versed with the Turkish language, literature and cultural rituals. He hoped that personal, as well as institutional efforts, could redress the situation. Turkish ambassador Rauf Engin Soysal also spoke on the occasion.
He elaborated on the significance of Pak-Turkish friendship for the promotion of regional and global friendship. He appreciated the relentless literary services of Masud Sheikh for the promotion of Pak-Turkish friendship.
HERITAGE AND MUSEUM EDUCATION PLAN:
Lok Virsa has taken yet another step forward in connection with creating more awareness of the indigenous cultural heritage, amongst the educated community at the university level. The Lok Virsa has signed up with a dozen universities and research institutions to undertake research projects on Pakistan's rich cultural heritage. An amount of Rupees 9 million has been allocated for the project.
It may be recalled that with the induction of Pakistan National Council of the Arts in 1973, the Folklore department was established here during the Bhutto era. Later on, the Lok Virsa was dislocated from the PNCA under Uxi Mufti.
The institution was entrusted with the cherished objective of promotion,
preservation and perpetuation of folklore, with special emphasis on field research, collection of folk artifacts, documentation of folk rituals, study of oral traditions, promotion of indigenous handicrafts and uplift of artisan. Uxi Mufti, the pioneer Executive Director of the institution, accomplished his task well.
Today, the ancient hill of Shakarparian is adorned with the vast complex of Lok Virsa, housing a comprehensive museum of Pakistani people. And now, the Lok Virsa has initiated another project for creating more awareness among the young generation, in collaboration with national universities. It includes the Fatima Jinnah Women University, Quaid-i-Azam University, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, University of Balochistan, University of Peshawar, Baha-ud-Din Zikria University, Multan, Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Punjab University and others.
CULTURAL EXCHANGE WITH SUDAN:
Pakistan and Sudan has signed a cultural exchange accord to enhance bilateral cultural cooperation in the areas of art and culture this week. The accord is signed by the visiting 7-member Sudanese delegation, headed by Minister of Culture Abd-Alghader Mohammad Zain and Pakistan's Cultural Minister Dr G.G. Jamal.
Pakistan enjoys cultural exchange program and cultural exchange pacts with over fifty countries of the world. However as far as African continent is concerned only a few cultural exchanges have been undertaken with Egypt during the last decade. There were a few exhibitions of visual artifacts from South Africa till the time Moula Musa remained the ambassador of that country in Pakistan. Now it is a pleasant sign to have a cultural exchange accord with another African country, Sudan.
The cultural accord envisages the exchange of art and cultural exhibitions and cooperation in the areas of archaeology and museology, including exchange of books, literature and research work.
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