The visit to Lahore by VIPs, group exhibition of paintings, an exhibition of Bangladeshi artists and a memorial reference for poet Qateel Shafai were the main highlights of cultural activities in Lahore during the week under review.
The Qateel Shifai Society in collaboration with the Punjab Council of the Arts arranged a meeting in memoriam for the late poet Qateel Shifai to recall his contributions to the refinement of Urdu literature. A number of speakers, including Ghulam Rabbani, a resident of Glasgow, UK; Shabbir Ahmed former Resident Director of Lahore Arts Council and Farooq Amjad Shah, the Deputy District Nazim of Lahore, paid tributes to the creative ingenuity of the late poet, who was one of those few lyricists who added a literary tangent to film songs in the sub-continent. The visitor from Glasgow made an announcement of his plan to open a branch of Qateel Shifai Society in UK to promote Qateel Shifai's poetry and to satiate the literary yearnings of expatriate Pakistanis.
A group exhibition of paintings by five prominent Bangladeshi artists was opened at the Lahore (Alhamra) Arts Council, Lahore on January 5, which was inaugurated by Humayun Fareed, the honorary Consul General of Bangladesh in the Punjab provincial metropolis. Titled Reflections from Bangladesh, the exhibition featured the works of Qazi Salahuddin Ahmed, Shahjahan Ahmed Mekaas, Semring Chaudhry, Jehangir Hasan and Noorul Ameen reflecting the unique styles of paintings of the five artists, each using different mediums and creating an interest overall view of the tradition, style and inspiration in that country. The exhibition was to be taken off on January 15, when it will be shifted to Islamabad.
The Chairman of the World Punjabi Congress Fakhar Zaman, during the course of his speech at the launching ceremony of Ghanzafar Ali Nadeem's book of Punjabi poetry on January 6, urged the literati and intellectuals of Pakistan to take up their responsibility of what he called the "third umpires". He was speaking in the context of the misdeeds of the rulers that in his opinion had purposely taken wrong decisions since the dawn of Independence more than half a century ago. He disclosed that a large number of prominent Pakistani writers have already agreed to his suggestion to observe the year 2004 as the 'Year of Pakistani's languages'. Pooh-poohing the part played by some writers and intellectuals, he condemned the activities of those men and women of litters who became "lackeys" of the rulers for personal gains. He also revealed the plan for the convening of World Punjabi Conference in Lahore from January 29 through 31.
Vocalist Shafqat Ali Khan, the youngest son of late Ustad Salamat Ali Khan's peace song "Pyar Ka Masala" was launched at a function organized in Lahore by Prime TV UK. A video of the song was shown to the invitees. Written by poet Amber Hoshiarpuri, the song was provided melodic raiment by Shafqat.
At a meeting of the Fair Committee held on December 30, 2003 which was chaired by DCO Lahore, it was announced that all arrangements for holding the prestigious National Horse and Cattle Show at Fortress Stadium, had been completed. According to DCO a number of sub-committees had been constituted to take care of the responsibilities assigned to them.
Family members of Saarc delegates were in Lahore on Sunday, January 3, when they visited the historic city, including several monuments. The grandeur and resplendent beauty of the Moghul architecture impressed the visitors, who were taken around the city.
A museum of puppetry has been set up at a township some seven kilometers from Lahore by the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, which will be formally inaugurated by the provincial Governor next week. According to the blurb printed on the invitation, "the museum will be a live, active and vibrant entity with a wide range of activities". Also included in its repertoire will be puppet institute, print/video reference material, lectures, workshops and seminars, publications, organization of puppet plays and festivals at local, national and regional level, promotion of educational activities and activities aimed at creating awareness of social issues through puppetry.
The sponsors of the museum propose to launch educational and recreational programmes designed to meet the needs of children. These activities willinclude the intellectually gifted as well as special children.