The Government College University (GCU) has been playing a leading role in grooming the student community of the country in almost all the creative arts and cultural expositions. In continuity of its tradition the GCU organised a documentary film competition amongst the students hailing from different educational institutions.
The Young Journalists Society (YJS) of the university deserves applause for its devoted attachment, which made the event a great success. The medium of film enjoys a vast scope, carrying all the seven arts of entertainment, education and motivation for the audience. The genre of documentary film has also earned a distinction by blending the medium with maximum degree of creativity and novelty. That's why a documentary film of only 30 seconds could carry the substance of even 30 centuries. In our country despite the availability of talent we have been lacking institutional infrastructure with regard to the film making. In mid 70s ZAB government launched a number of art and cultural institutions including the State Film Authority with the purview of promoting the film arts, industry and trade.
Unfortunately it was ended up soon. The PTV and its training academy do exists and it has the credit of creating numerous documentary films of world class earning awards at international level. But the genre of documentary film could not be expanded on large scale despite of the fact that there are numerous TV channels working in the private sector. Now it is the YJS of the GCU, which took initiative to launch the movement of documentary film among the student community. The budding film makers of GCU, University of Punjab, FC College University, University of South Asia and Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore College for Women University, National College of Arts and Fatima Jinnah College for Women, Chuna Mandi, inside the ancient walled city enthusiastically participated in the event. The budding film makers created their accomplishments on different socio-political issues confronting the society these days.
As per the judgement the documentary film on the subject of 'child labour' created by the students of Lahore College for Women University secured the 3rd position, the National College of Arts bagged 2nd position on its film titled 'traffic jam' while the aspiring students hailing from Fatima Jinnah College for Women, Chuna Mandi won the 1st prize on their creation bearing the title of 'Zindgi Tamasha Bani' dealing with the life of eunuchs. The film speaks itself the quality of script, camera craft and artistic sensibility.
It is hoped that other educational institutions along with the private channels would proceed further in the promotion of documentary film art in the country. There are lot of people in the country possessing talent, expertise and commitment for creative arts. What they need is institutional patronage and support.
Oblivious and indifferent:
Where would be the end of degenerating process, which has been creeping in our socio-cultural life for quiet some time. The question arises in the backdrop of oblivious conduct of our art and cultural institutions with regard to the death anniversaries of three cultural stalwarts coincided during preceded week. The great writer, poet and journalist of eminence Ahmad Nadeem Qasimi, another distinguished poet Qateel Shifai and famous classical vocalist Ustad Salamat Ali Khan were passed away in the early days of July in different years. Notwithstanding, there are numerous art and cultural institutions with huge funds in the country none could come up with eulogising the cultural icons. How would the new generation apprise of the services and contribution of departed souls in the promotion of art and culture in the society. If the situation is not addressed the people sitting at the helm of affairs could easily visualise the same fate for themselves.
Ahmad Nadeem Qasimi (1916-2006) was born in Khushab, Punjab in an orthodox family. He however braved the way for his higher education. During early years of his literary career he served magazines namely 'Phool' and 'Tahzeeb-e-Niswan' meant for children and ladies respectively in 1930s. Later on he edited literary magazines including 'Adb-e-Latif', 'Swera', 'Naqoosh' and 'Fanoon', which was his own child brain started in 1963. The 'Fanoon' proved to be the nucleus of literary growth in the country. He also remained editor of daily 'Imroze', a leading daily newspaper of post independence period. During the Ayub regime Qasimi left the editorship of the daily. He authored over 50 books pertaining fiction and poetry. Some of his poetic collection published under the titles of 'Dasht-e-Wafa', 'Jalal-o-Jamal', 'Rim Jhim', 'Loh-e-Khak' and 'Shola-e-Gul' are considered all time hit while his fiction work under the title of 'Sunnata', 'Chopaal', 'Burg-e-Hina', 'Aas Paas' and 'Dro Dewar are still popular in general readership. Ahmad Nadeem Qasimi always stood with the downtrodden people in his prose and poetry. He was a staunch supporter of a society based on socio-economic justice. During his life time relentless struggle for the people he was imprisoned many times. His political and literary contribution towards an egalitarian society would always be remembered.
Qateel Shifai (1919-2001) was born in Haripur, Hazara in a poor family. In his early age he joined a transport company against a monthly salary of 60 rupees. Later on he shifted to Lahore in 1946 and joined famous literary magazine 'Adb-e-Latif' as its deputy editor. His early poetry got published in weekly 'Star', Lahore under the editorship of Qamar Jalalabadi. Qateel Shifai got several awards including 'Naqoosh Award', 'Adam Jee Award', 'Abasin Award' and ' Amir Khusro Award' from India on his meritorious contribution in the field of poetry. He is considered the most popular poet who had contributed numerous songs for Pakistani films. Most of films got box office success due to popular songs created by Qateel Shifai. The poetry created by Qateel carries the true sentiments of human being based on the cherished values of love, peace and co-existence.
Ustad Salamat Ali Khan was born in 1934 in Shamchorasi, Hushiarpur district of Punjab, India. It may be recalled that Shamchorasi is the placed after which the famous Shamchorasi gharana was established by Ustad Suruj Khan and Ustad Chand Khan, both were contemporaries of Ustad Tanesen of the court of emperor Akbar.
Ustad Salamat Khan along with his elder brother Ustad Nazakat Ali Khan learnt his early music lessons under the tutelage of his renowned vocalist father Ustad Walait Ali Khan. With the passage of time he developed taste for 'dhurpad' and 'khayal' genre of classical renditions. Ustad Salamat was a distinguished due to his individuality, creativity and sensibility with regard to his art. The Ustad also earned eminence in the genre of thumri, ghazal and kafi.
The contribution of Ustad Salamat Ali Khan with regard to the promotion of classical music in the country is stretched to over six decades. He had created a great impact in the art and cultural ambience of the country. The tradition he has set should be honoured and continued for the posterity. It could only be done when we should change our oblivious and indifferent behaviour towards the art icons of our cultural heritage. It is hoped that the next year would find us in a positive way with regard to eulogising our art and literary stalwarts.