The week was dominated by brisk art and cultural activities related to International Women's Day. A number of civil society segments, including diplomatic missions in Pakistan, came forward to highlight the significant role of women and to create yet more public awareness regarding women's rights.
A cultural event organised by the Embassy of Peoples' Republic of China proved a wonderful exponent of the state of women and their creative potentials in both the countries. The cultural presentation was featured by a brief presentation of world renowned Beijing Opera titled "One Nigt in Beijing". It showed the vibrant and skilful faculties of the performers and their commitment to the art. A display of Chinese traditional costumes namely "Cheong-sam" was an attractive item for the ladies due to its utility and sobriety.
It was followed by a session of physical rhythmic movements including famous Chinese fan dace and happy time dance. Two little girls stole the show with their charming and vigorous dance to modern pop tune.
The young members of PWOWA presented some glimpses of Pakistani culture with their presentation of a mystic dance from the desert areas of Tharparker, Sindh and Luddi, a traditional dance depicting the joys and happiness especially in Punjab. The whole of the art and cultural presentation both by Pakistani and Chinese women depicted the creative and innovative potentials of feminine entity of the humanity.
Dr Jiang Yili, the wife of the Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan, was the moving spirit behind this wonderful show. While welcoming the guests and highlighting the IWD celebrations she referred to the significance of the role of the women in the promotion, projection and perpetuation of regional as well as international peace through their creative works. She gave details of Chinese women's role in their society with special reference to their responsibilities at the higher slot in the governmental set up.
It was told that there are 12 incumbent vice premiers and vice presidents, over 20 ministers with equal number of ambassadors and counsel generals. 'A woman is a true boss in the Chinese society' she said Dr Jiang Yili concluded with the happy note of Chinese President Hu Jintao describing the indomitable friendship of the people of Pakistan and China.
Raja Changez Sultan portrays faminine entities through charcoal: An exhibition of charcoal paintings by Raja Changez Sultan has been on display at Tanzara Art Gallery.
Changez is recognised as one of the most prolific English poet and painter of distinction. He has earned name and fame for his much-loved series 'Divided Self' portraying the inner conflicts and distortion of human psyche. The present exhibition of charcoal paintings seems to be a thematic extension of the 'Divided Self'.
The medium of charcoal is a rare phenomenon in Pakistan. One could only remember Zain ul Abedin from former East Pakistan (Bangladesh) who opted the medium to portray the agony and pain inflicted on the humanity by famine in the early 40s. It is encouraging that Changez has revived an extinctive tradition.
Noshi Qadir, director of Tanzara Gallery commented, "Raja Changez Sultan uses the medium of charcoal extensively due to its line value as well as to cover large areas much as one would with paints. The result is a fine array of textures and tonalities that tantalise the viewer".
The exhibition also offers a few art pieces from his new series titled 'Birds of Paradise', portraying the dove-like forms merging with each other, a mystic symbol of universal oneness. One could enjoy the works from silhouettes to well rounded figures to highly textured forms. He uses charcoal with an unparalleled distinction.
Sharing his creative experience with this scribe Changez said, "Poetry and painting are my passion. I use these modes to express my inner self. To me painting is a play of light, be it in color or black and white". About the theme of the paintings he explains, "My figurative endeavours explain the beauty, grace and grandeur of human body created by the Almighty Allah. I just reproduce it through my own perceptions and innovative pursuits".
Pain and agony put on theatre festival: The Pattan, a NGO engaged in women's cause organised a three-day theatre festival at local auditorium.
Three plays namely 'mera ranjhan hun koi hor', 'banbher' and 'raees khana' were staged in the festival. The first two plays were written by William Pervez while the last one was penned by eminent writer late Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi.
All the plays were focused on the pains and agonies being inflicted on women in our society. The inhuman customs of vani, swara and karo kari, domestic violence and poverty ridden crimes were highlighted through dialogues, movements and action in the theatrical presentations.
Despite the lapse of 60 years the society could not get itself liberated from the yoke of discriminatory taboos against the women, constituting over half of the total population of the country. On the pretext of so called family and clan honour and dignity women are being killed. The feudal culture specially plays havoc to maximise the anguish of women as they are not treated as humanbeings. In the play 'banbher' this issue is seriously focused as the young girls are being traded as commodity under the disguise of marriage. The play 'raees khana' again describes some other sort of agonies emanating from the yoke of poverty. Despite all his efforts to earn his livelihood through the dignified mode, the 'husband' failed and was trapped into crime. He involved his wife into derogatory means of sustenance.
The cast played well and created impact on the audience. However, young artists should do more hard work especially in the harmonious movements and dialogue delivery.
The 'Pattan' deserves congratulations for organising the theatre festival marking the IWD and highlighting the burning issues relating to women and the society.
Child abuse trauma shown through mixed media: An exhibition of 24 art pieces created in mixed media by Safdar Ali Qureshi and Aesha was inaugurated on March 7 at Rohtas Art Gallery of architect, poet Naeem Pasha.
Safdar and Aesha are the graduates from the National College of Arts, Lahore and identically they have chosen the main theme of socio cultural degeneration, political upheavals, prejudices and taboos with special reference to child abuse in our society.
It is indeed a leap forward in our young and budding artists who have been delinking themselves from those who have confined the visual arts to the mode of interior decoration. Safdar and Aesha, being the most conscientious young painters preferred to make their artistic pursuits as the instrument of awareness and positive change in the society. Both the artists have studied the case histories of unhappy children and translated those into their mixed media works.
The destruction of childhood innocence, the mental trauma inflicted on children by unscrupulous elements of the society have got place on the canvases of both the artists. The exhibition would continue till March 15.
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