Number of cultural activities this past week in Lahore was fewer when compared with those held in recent weeks due to the advent of Muharram. A concert by Indian Ghazal singer, book fair at Lahore Arts Council, a mushaira at a local college and an exhibition at Croweaters Art Gallery were the main highlights of these activities.
Marsiya, noha and salam recitals were the dominant features of activities during the week at that ended on Sunday, February 29. The congregations of the Azadaars different Imambargahs in the city were attended by thousands of mourners of the tragedy that afflicted Hussain Ibne Ali at Karbala about 1430 years ago. The son of Hazrat Ali (KAW) and grandson of the last Prophet of Allah, Muhammad Mustafa (SAW) Hussain does not live in history merely because of his exalted ancestry and family lineage.
He occupies a height all of his own because of the irresistible human appeal of the supreme sacrifice he made for the glory of Islam.
During the first ten days of Muharram, marsiyas are recited to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions at Karbala. Elegiac and quasi-religious in format and content; marsiya was one of the three most sought-after genres of medieval Urdu poetry. The other two were the qasida and the ghazal. It is a lament on the death of a friend, relative or patron, especially a nobleman or a king.
Following old traditions created by their ancestors, seasoned professional musicians have included marsiyas in their repertoires and have earned repute for their mellifluous renditions of this literary genre at Majaalis-e-Aza held during the mourning period in Muharram.

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The Literary and Cultural Society of Pakistan organized a seminar on "Hussain for All" at a local hotel in which glowing tributes were paid to Husain Ibne Ali. Hazrat Imam (AS), declared the participants of the seminar, was not a source of inspiration for just one sect or faith, he continues to provide beacon light for the entire humanity.
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On February 23 the Urdu Literary Circle of Forman Christian College, Lahore organized a mushaira in which renowned Lahore-based poets recited their kalam. It was the first poetry symposium held at FCC by the new management after college's denationalization. Besides students and staff, a large number of poetry buffs also attended it and enjoyed the works of prominent poets.
Croweaters Gallery of Art played host to the holding of the works of painter Abu Bakr, an artist, who in the estimation of a critic, "attempts to do some soul-searching through the observation of Nature". He recently returned from abroad to put on display his drawings of the landscape of the Punjab provincial metropolis, which he etched in watercolor and pencil of landscape. His works provide testimony to the fact that he has worked on his drawings so meticulously and feelingly.
A gifted artist of international renown, Abu Bakr has already participated in number of exhibitions held in Pakistan and his works are included in a number of private collections in the United Kingdom, United States and Canada, from where he has won laurels for his person and kudos for Pakistan.
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Jagit Singh, one of India's ranking ghazal singers, was the guest artiste at the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club in Lahore this past week, where his potential for the art of ghazal-singing was recognized and applauded by a select gathering of local music buffs. Billed as "Music fir Oeace" the presentation attracted a large number of musically discernable people.
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The play "Anarkali through the Eyes of Noor Jehan" was staged at the historic Lahore Fort last week under the banner of Serendip Productions. Scripted by playwright Amjad Islam Amjad, the light and sound gala, which focussed on the life of Empress Noor Jehan, was staged by a carefully selected cast, which included Shazia Sahil, Murad Malik and Sohail Malik who did justice to the roles assigned to them. The government of the Punjab foot the bill for the production of the gala cultural event, admission to which was by invitations.
The annual book fair opened at the Lahore Council last week did not attract many visitors due to long holiday weekend but hopefully will be visited by a large number of avid book readers after the end of mourning period of Muharram. Discount on books announced by 20 booksellers, who have put up their stalls at the fair, which will last till March 10, ranges from 10 to 40 per cent on the printed prices of the books. About 100,000 books on a variety of subjects are open for sale in the fair.