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Pakistan National Council of Arts in an effort to promote classical music among the younger generation has commenced three-month music classes by known singer from Sham Churasi gharana Rafaqat Ali Khan at Shakir Ali Museum. According to PNCA officials, the first session in this regard will be held in the first week of January focusing on classical and fusion music. Instrumental music will also be taught. Some 12 students have been enrolled for the classes.
The PNCA programme on fusion and classical music had been initiated to promote cultural activities, support renowned artists and create opportunities for those who were interested in learning this music genre.
On the culmination of the three-month program, a grand music evening will be organised where vocalists and instrumentalists would perform.
PNCA will also continue to hold evenings with veteran artistes. The last such event celebrated the career of senior film artiste Sabiha Khanum.
***** A reference is being organised in memory of film actor Tariq Shah, who was famous for his negative roles in local movies. He died of hepatitis on Dec 9 at the age of 69.
Shah performed in a number of Urdu, Punjabi and Pushto films. The reference is being held by some film producers and artistes at Alhamra Art Center on Tuesday.
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An exhibition of drawings and paintings by special children entitled ‘The Stardom of Heavens’ was recently held at Alhamra Art Gallery`, The Mall, on Friday.
The exhibition which was also a contest among the special children was organised by Family Support Programme Association.
The 150 or so artworks by young artistes who gave a massage of peace through creative ideas were highly appreciated by the visitors. The participating children worked on various themes and subjects such as birds, flowers, moon, stars etc. Some artworks were extremely good when it came to right choice of colours.
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Veteran film actress Nisho, the mother of actress and anchor Sahiba, showed a great deal of annoyance when a new actress, Tabarka, was allowed to perform on a song originally to be performed by her at an event.
An exchange of hot words took place between the veteran film star and the organiser of a function held as a tribute to late actor Rangeela at Alhamra Art Center, The Mall, on Friday last. The event was organised by Rangeela Foundation.
The organisers told this reporter that Ms Nisho’s stance was right but the song selected for the veteran actress was mistakenly given to the new talent.
Nisho registered her protest by refusing to perform on the same song and chose another one for her performance. This clash left the function in a bad taste.
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The Drawing Room Art Gallery is going to organise an exhibition entitled ‘Letters to Taseer’ on 5th Jan. The artists whose work will be displayed are Faiza Butt, Imran Mudassar, Mohammmad Ali Talpur, Noor Ali Chagani, Quddus Mirza, Rashid Rana and Saba Khan. The exhibition has been curated by Salima Hashmi.
***** An exhibition of paintings by Erum Ashfaq titled ‘Harmony and Heritage’ opened at Shakir Ali Museum on Thursday last.
The show was organised by Pakistan National Council of Arts in collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Integration.
The exhibition was opened some two and a half hours late than its scheduled time (5:30pm) reportedly because of late arrival of PNCA Director General Tauqeer Nasir.
The chief guest of the function, Yousaf Salahuddin, who arrived at the venue in time, had also to wait for Mr Tauqeer along with other guests some of whom left the event to register their protest.
Two students from a private college, who were among those who left the exhibition in protest, told Dawn that they were very disappointed with the attitude of organisers. “They kept us telling they couldn’t do anything as the DG was on his way and the event wont begin till he arrives at the venue,” one of the students said.
An official of Shakir Ali Museum wishing anonymity told Dawn that the DG was stuck in traffic and got late.
The artist Erum Ashfaq told this reporter that she had great interest in architecture and Nature and that was why she painted the architectural jewels of Lahore and Bhera. She said that she specially went to Bhera to paint some of the structures. The monuments the artist depicted in her paintings also included Masjid Wazir Khan, Shalimar Gardens and Lahore Fort.
One of the paintings ‘A passage in wilderness’ was extremely beautiful and so were some other landscapes.
The exhibition will remain open till January 15th.
