The 960th annual Urs (death anniversary) of Hazrat Ali Hajveri - better known as Data Gunj Baksh - was the most significant cultural and religious event in Lahore this past week. Inaugurated by the provincial Governor on April 9 it attracted an estimated half-a-million devotees from all over Pakistan with a sprinkling from foreign countries.
A two-day Mehfil-e-Samaa, symposium on the life and teachings of the eleventh century Sufi saint and a Mushaira (poetry symposium) were the highlights of the anniversary programmes, which were sponsored by the provincial Auqaf Department.
Rich tributes were paid to Ali Hajveri's services in spreading the principles of Islam, including Tauheed (Unity of God) and universal brotherhood of mankind. Leading his life in accordance with the dictates of Qur'an and Sunnah the Afghanistan-born Sufi poet guided the people of the sub-continent through his personal character and worthy examples, which the new coverts emulated willingly. Contrary to the opinion expressed by Western scholards, Islam spread in South Asia through the efforts of Muslim Sufis, who came to settle in India much before the Afghan or Mughal armies marched into this area. His Urs is observed with spiritual zeal inside the shrine complex and a grand fair extends from the Bhati Gate Chauk to the Minar-e-Pakistan site. Hundreds of shops are set up in the area, which sell food and consumer goods to thousands of devotees visiting the shrine to pay homage to the saint.
The announcement by the Punjab Chief Minister about free distribution of books to primary students by the provincial government in all public schools in the 34 districts, has been greeted by the people, especially the poor parents of children, who cannot afford to purchase expensive text books for their wards. They have expressed the hope that the construction of school buildings and provision of furniture, drinking water and every other missing facility in the schools will not end up as rhetoric and the most recent promise by the rulers, will soon be fulfilled.
Oscar Wilde's famous play "The importance of Veing Earnest" was staged at the Lahore Arts Council Cultural Complex last week by Resource Academia Dramatics Society, which was its maiden presentation. Directed by Rubab Uppal, the play received justified applause from the knowledgeable audience, which appreciated the performances by Fahad Ali Kazmi as Jack Worthing and Khurram Khalid as the butler.
Cinderella was also staged at the Lahore Arts Council on April 7 whose dramatist personae included 45 students, whose colourful costumes impressed the audience, which included parents of the students in large numbers. The play was about a girl whose step-sisters adopted several different methods to take her away from the happiness of life. One of the devised method used by step-sisters was to keep her engaged in minor domestic chores resulting in petty squabbles. Directed by Kenan Tahir, the play was scripted by Valerie Kaul.
The annual distribution ceremony of Achievement Award by Soroptimist International Club was held at the prestigious Gymkhana Club in Lahore last week. This award is given to a women for her outstanding work in such fields as will upgrade the status of women and also create awareness among them about their rights and how to become self reliant economically and socially. Seema Aziz of Efan (Pvt) Ltd., was the winner of the coveted award, which was presented to her by the President of Soroptimist Lahore Mrs. Sajida Bukhari.
Septuagenarian Munir Niazi, one of the renowned Urdu (and Punjabi) poets of Pakistan celebrated his 76th birthday on April 9. A large number of his friends and literati attended the ceremony at which rich tributes were paid to the ageing poet. To keep him in good cheers, they also recited their own poems on the occasion.
Previews of plays and television dramas at five-star hotels have now become an ineluctable part of PR exercises to gain the attention of critics and media persons. For some it is an essential adjunct to the marketing of films, documentary and TV/stage dramas.
Moving Closer, a musical documentary produced by Islamabad-based Serendip Production, was previewed at the Lahore Arts Council on April 5. Featuring top Indian cinema actress Urmila Matondkar and Pakistani actress Resham, it is jointly directed by Saqib from Pakistan and Prahlad Kakar from Mumbai. The documentary is an attempt at bringing out the commonalties, rather than differences between the two neighbouring countries. The cast and crew of PTV serial Sehra organized a get-together at a local hotel, where they arranged the screening of the fourth episode of the play.
It was primarily an exercise in engaging the attention of critics and media persons and, as the sponsors claimed, exposing Cholistani customs and culture. A majority of the large cast of the serial hails from southern Punjab as do its director and the playwright.
The historic Lahore Fort seems to have engaged the attention of the higher-ups in the Federal Archaeology Department. Renovation and repair works are being conducted in the fort, which include the fortification of the ceiling of Shish Mahal, the house of mirrors. In addition the department has acquired the services of craftsmen to prepare cultural replicas of different works currently at place in the fort. These replicas are being prepared in fresco, stucco tracery, wood decoration and mosaic tile work.
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