The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) has nominated Benazir Bhutto and Peter Curman, an eminent Swedish poet and intellectual for its highest Quaid-e-Azam International Literary awards for democracy and literature worth Rs 2 million each.
The PAL chairman Fakhar Zaman, a prolific writer and intellectual of international eminence while announcing the nomination of prestigious awards briefed the media that the Quaid-e-Azam International Award for Literature is being given to Peter Curman in recognition of his valuable contribution to world literature and his persistent endeavors for the promotion of peace.
Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto Shaeed has been nominated for The Quaid-e-Azam International Award for Democracy for her relentless struggle for democracy, for which she offered the supreme sacrifice of her life. It is expected that the award giving ceremony would be held in the near future. Either the President or the Prime Minister would grace the occasion. It is known that Peter Curman would personally receive the award while Bilawal Bhutto would receive the award on behalf of her shaheed mother.
The Pakistan Academy of Letters is the prime institution entrusted with the promotion, projection and perpetuation of Pakistani literature at home and abroad. Since his assumption of the charge of Chairman PAL, Fakhar Zaman has initiated a number of literary projects which were lauded by literati and literary enthusiasts.
He is adding some more for the greater promotion of the indigenous literary wealth. A new award titled 'Pse Zindan Award' is instituted. It is meant for those writings created in prison cells during the dictatorial regime of the army generals. The award would carry a cash prize of Rs 100,000. A 13-member jury would adjudge the best literary work for the award.
The PAL is also engaged in publishing an anthology of literary work published since Independence till today. It would cover all the national languages. Two prestigious books would carry the titles of 'Bhutto Trial' and 'Khushbu ki Shahadet'. As the title suggests the former would pertain to the documentary papers relating to the judicial trial of Z. A. Bhutto, while the later would consist of poetic homage paid to the legendary statesman Bhutto by poets on his tragic murder.
It is also known that the PAL has also got approved the enhancement of monthly financial support of Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 for deserving writers. It may be recalled that the insurance scheme for writers has already been in practice with over 700 individuals as it beneficiaries. With the efforts of Fakhar Zaman, medical cover for the writers has also been included in the scheme.
Literary circles, literati and literature enthusiasts lauded these endeavors meant for the promotion, projection and perpetuation of Pakistan literature at home and abroad, coupled with the welfare and betterment of the literary community.
CREATIVE FEMININE INSIGHT THROUGH EMBROIDERY WORK: The womenfolk of our land have been the custodians as well as the creators of the rich cultural heritage we are genuinely proud of. The genre of multifaceted handicrafts stands distinctive among the innovative modes of expression.
The craft of embroidery is one mostly practised by the women. The Lok Virsa deserves commendation for its efforts aimed at the uplift of handicrafts and artisans. As part of its promotional activities, it organised an exhibition of embroidery work at its premises. The participating women workers hailed from southern Punjab's cities like Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan and Multan.
The embroidery work enjoys a large scope of innovation. It simultaneously represents the art and craft modes of creativity. Usually one may need a simple sheet of cloth fitted in a circular wooden frame with needles and multicoloured threads etc. In our regional areas women are attached to floral patterns, geometric designs and petalwork etc.
Some artisans do create portraits and caricatures too. The portrayal of scenic beauty and landscape is also a popular subject in the embroidery work. The exhibition at Lok Virsa offers a rich variety of embroidery work including 'chunri', 'khussa', cushions, bed sheets and general decorative items. Each work manifests the intellectual perception, delicacy of work, and creative sensibility of the artisans.
Is it enough just to appreciate the handicrafts made by our women or should there be more serious obligation on our part for women empowerment. Most of the artisans complain of the existing brokerage or middleman system which exploits their labour. Most of the financial gains of the laborious work is snatched by the people engaged in the brokerage or the middle tier of the whole practice.
Artisans urged the government to save them from the exploitation. It is suggested that the Export Promotion Bureau acquire the whole lot of handicrafts from the artisans for onward export to other countries on standard international rates. If done, it would save our downtrodden artisans, especially the women attached to the art and craft in the country.
HUMAN EMOTIONS KNITTED WIH COLORS, LIGHT AND SHADES: The Hunerkada College of Visual and Performing Arts organised an exhibition of paintings by Faiza Ayub Khan on May 23 at it premises with full zeal. Senator Waseem Sajjad inaugurated the event. He was appreciative of the creativity amongst our young generation of artists, irrespective of gender. He lauded the artist for her sharp sense of observation and ability of expression through color, light and shade.
Waseem Sajjad specially mentioned the aspect of human emotions beautifully expressed by Faiza Ayub Khan. The exhibition showcased the works of Faiza in different moods and mediums, including mixed media paintings that speak of her command over the brush, colors and techniques she had opted. The exhibits reflect a state of anguish and tragedy.
Hailing from the frontier region, Faiza explains she could not escape from the tragic incidents occurring in the area. Human suffering and homelessness make a human being sad and desperate. Of the most sensitive segment of society, the artist feels, conceives and expresses what the society is suffering from. The ongoing exhibition of paintings by Faiza Ayub Khan is an exponent of the collective feelings of sadness and anguish of society.
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