Governor Punjab Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd) has averred that high standard music and theatrical arts were effective source of mass communication. Addressing the meeting held to review the progress of projects of redesigning of Lahore Art Council at Governor's House on Wednesday.
Governor said that it was the responsibility of artists to play their role for promoting good attitude like truthfulness and tolerance in the society. He said that Pakistani artists had the ability to comprehend new trends. "It was the need of the hour that our artists utilise their skills for bringing a positive change in the approach of common people," he pointed.
Governor said that Pakistan remained a beautiful country where more development opportunities were available than the neighbouring countries. He said that it was a good omen that children of common man not only become doctor, engineer, renowned lawyers and big industrialists but also hold important positions in civil government and army. He said that the condition of our roads was better than Indian roads and standard of our minorities was much better than Indian minorities.
Executive Director, Lahore Art Council, Syed Asghar Hussain Gillani briefed about redesigning of Lahore Art Council. He told that the artists were given certificates after three months training in different departments of music at Alhamra Performing Arts Academy. He further told that ten rooms had been reserved for this purpose in permanent arty gallery in Alhamra Cultural Complex where one-year diploma courses in instrumental and vocal music and theatrical arts would soon start. He said that persons completing diploma courses from Lahore Art Council would be given internship in ten private TV channels of Lahore.
Governor directed Principal Punjab University College of Art and Design Shahnawaz Zaidi to arrange competitions of inter-university performing arts in November. He also directed Executive Director Lahore Art Council to hold competition of Naat Khawani and Aarifana Kalam amongst students of affiliated colleges of the province during Ramzan-ul-Mubarak.
The meeting also reviewed the recommendations of the committee headed by Chairman Planning and Development Board Punjab Suleman Ghani in connection with bringing structural changes according to modern needs and provision of necessary facilities required for performance of international standard at Alhamra Art Centre and Alhamra Cultural Complex. Chairman P&D informed that redesigning of both buildings of Arts Council would be carried out at a cost of Rs 60 million for which services of consultants having practical experience in different disciplines of art and culture would be hired.