Lahore swayed and savoured as the mesmerising crescendo of Rock, Sufi and Pop music, the ingenious lineup of fashion and lip-smacking cuisine from across the border entertained and engaged audiences at the three-day event at the Royal Palm Golf and Country Club in Lahore.

Rechristened with the slogan, Kya Dilli Kya Lahore, after the fashion and lifestyle exhibition debuted in New Delhi last September, and later moved to Lahore for its second edition, the organisers believe in “eradicating differences through similarities” with a resolve to take the event to other countries after its fourth season (the third episode is to be held in Delhi, in October).

The events on the first day kicked off fashionably late with a musical evening worth the wait. Soulful renditions from artistes from both sides of the border culminated into Bollywood ditties performed by playback singer Rekha Bhardvaj (she also lent her voice to the Pakistani flick Bin Roye’s song Chan Chariya besides Kabhi Ashna Kabhi Ajnabi, the soundtrack of the Pakistani TV serial Hamnasheen).

Making Pakistani fashion, music and cuisine ubiquitous is the unwavering commitment behind Shaan-e-Pakistan

Coke Studio sensations Mai Dhai and Syed Asrar Shah entertained with Kadi Aao Ne, Sab Aakho Ali Ali, Shukkar Wanda and Mast Hua Barbad Hua, while Asrar brought the audience to its feet with his Punjabi Sufi-Rock and easy-going mannerism, punctuating his performance with Afghan Jalebi, his debut number for Bollywood that shot him to cross-border fame. VJ Andy from India joined Anoushey Ashraf as the host for the evening, the former spicing things up with his repartee and tongue-in-cheek remarks. A very energetic performance by Shivam from India with Tuta Tuta Ek Parinda, Mitwa, Ilahi Mera Ji Aaye and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Piya Re followed.

Akin to Pink Floyd’s live shows, Sounds of Kolachi entertained with a harmonious display of psychedelic rock, the philosophical lyrics inundated with great sonic experimentation that made the band stand out with their impelling numbers, Allah hi Dega and Woh Eeshwar

Since most members of the Indian entourage were performing in Pakistan for the first time, their enthusiasm was overtly evident. “I am overwhelmed by the warmth that I have received here. Feels like a second home,” exclaimed the charming Rekha Bhardwaj while talking to Images on Sunday. Rekha chrooned her all-time-famous Bollywood numbers Genda Phool, Kabeera and Namak, besides a few others. Spotted among the attendees were Zeenat Aman, Atif Aslam, Fariha Pervaiz, Hadiqa Kiani, Nauman Javed, Amanat Ali, Junaid Khan and Shiraz Uppal.

Days of fashion

The second day of the event featured a full-day exhibition comprising over 30 retailers and craftsmen displaying their products, with names like Anand Khanna, Beech Tree, Elisha Wadhwani, Stratford Street, Sonrissa, Sonia Ahuja, Womaniya Collection, etc.

“We are here to make brands and make them big while launching them into the world markets,” said Huma Nasr of Braahtii. “Shaan-e-Pakistan promises more diversity and exposure than fashion weeks, besides a betterment of people-to-people relations between countries, because there’s sharing of music, fashion, merchandise and food, all on a single platform.”

Dedicated to showcasing collections of designers from both sides of the border, the concluding day of the event witnessed the work of 16 designers, most of it crafted specially for the occasion. Bibi Russell, ex-supermodel and the only participant from Bangladesh, who has earlier exhibited in Karachi, did a wonderful job on the ramp with her stunning, chunky, handmade jewellery, Gamchha-style turbans and alluring nose rings, all reverberating with bling. “All of my work is totally handmade. I employ local artisans from remote areas to help pull them out of poverty with dignity,” said Bibi who hobnobs in the simulated world of fashion in her simplistic, Bohemian style.

The gorgeous Zeenat Aman, adorned in a floor-length beige and pink embroidred wraparound, was the showstopper for Braahtii that has outlets in Delhi, Karachi and Dubai, and uses a variety of fabrics, hues and styles.

Indian designer Jyoti Sachdev from Banglore displayed a minimalistic line oozing with class and elegance. Inspired by her travels and the combination of different cultures, the use of drapes and twists dominated her line and, unlike the Pakistani collections exhibited at the show, her work was sans heavy adornments.

Asifa and Nabeel’s collection was inspired by the Kalash culture, displaying a symphonic interpretation of motifs, colour, shades and mirror-work, while Ahmed Bilal’s work was an array of brightly hued pieces, choli ghagras, long skirts, multi-shaped pants and embellished jackets with eye-catching figures and motifs.

Film and television star Resham sashayed down the ramp in a red and fawn lehnga for Ahmed Bilal.

Ace designer Samant Chauhan from New Delhi works mostly with hand-woven textiles. Sleek silhouettes, tones of indigo, cerise and earthy hues incorporating long jackets teamed with pants and Khadi gowns besides elegant saris were all a part of the line he put on display.

Fish-tail middies, floor-lengths and lehengas in sleek cuts were shown by the Indian designer Joy Mitra. He came up with gowns and pants to pair, besides ghagra choli sensations to rock the ramp.

An overview of the collections showcased by designers from both the countries revealed that while Pakistani designers opt more for ornamentation, their Indian counterparts go more for cuts and styling.

Rang Ja, with its kaleidoscopic, ethnic and relatable line triggered the fashion aesthetics with floral and psychedelic motifs. Chic by Rashid Ikhlaq exhibited a very adoptable men’s line, featuring mostly suits in greys, blacks and browns, besides some floral jackets paired with plain pants.

Other leading Pakistani designers who showcased included Amir Adnan, Zainab Chottani, Aisha Imran and Zubia Motiwalla.

Apart from supermodel Nadia Hussain, one got to see a lot of new faces on the ramp. The choreographer for the evening Prasad Bidapa from Banglore told IoS that it was his first show in Lahore. Prasad choreographs for Rajhistan Heritage Week and Karnataka Fashion Week, besides other shows within and outside of India. “Indians and Pakistanis feel very close to each other. The people have always been friendly, it’s the governments that are on tenterhooks.”

While most will no doubt agree that the two countries need more such collaborative platforms to intermingle and interchange, there are those who question the extent to which such efforts will alter harsh ground realities.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, April 1st, 2016