The 2nd Pakistan Media Awards 2011 held at the Carlton Hotel in Karachi last week may have started way off the mark but what the event managed to accomplish in terms of credibility was to celebrate valuable contributions to the performing arts across a very large spectrum, honouring some of the biggest names in entertainment alongside those from fashion.

Among the musical item numbers presented, the one that stood out featured film star Moammar Rana (it was mentioned earlier during the ceremony that film star Shaan could not make it due to reasons not clear to this writer).

Of the awards given to the fashion players, none of them made it to the stage to collect them in person for reasons best known either to them or the organisers but which left an awkward gap in the smooth flow of the goings on. However, it was overheard that fashion model Nadia Hussain, recipient of the Best Female Model award was in Peshawar that very night for a show.

Moments

Of these there were quite a few, with Chhotay Ustad winner Rouhan Abbas performing two live numbers, one of which was Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s Tere Mast Mast Do Nain (from the hit Bollywood film Dabangg) and another melodious folk number tributed to his Ustad. Needless to say, Rouhan performed both numbers impeccably, drawing a huge round of applause from all those present.

Before that, veteran film personality Mustafa Qureshi remembered the comedians who have recently passed away, some among them being Babbo Barral and Mastana, and the most noteworthy being Moin Akhtar for whom a moment of silence was observed. Although the awards ceremony began on such a somber note, it soon turned lively with the usual song and dance masala and the chirpy quips of peppy hosts Faisal Qureshi and Aijaz Aslam, especially when the sound system stubbornly refused to work as well as the glitches that are part and parcel of live events.

Also spotted among the veteran brigade besides film star Nadeem, Syed Noor, Sangeeta and others was Zeba Begum, and a touching moment was when she was called upon to present the Lifetime Achievement Awards to masters of their trade, ghazal singer Mehdi Hasan and TV and film funny man Lehri, both wheelchair-bound. It was sheer joy to see both the living legends in our midst, no matter how physically indisposed, while celebrating the fact that we as a nation have learned to honour our legends before they are no more. Shakeel’s surprise dance item number also drew a round of chuckles and a big hand for his brave effort.

Winners of the 2nd Pakistan Media Awards 2011

Best Drama: Dastaan (Hum TV)Best Drama Actor: Fawad Khan (Dastaan)Best Drama Actress: Sanam Baloch (Dastaan)Best Supporting Actor: Ahsan Khan (Dastaan)Best Supporting Actress: Saba Qamar (Dastaan)Best Director (Drama): Haissam Hussain (Dastaan)Best Drama Writer: Attiya Daud (Husn Ara Kaun)Best Soap: Samdhan (Hum TV)Best Sitcom: Bulbulay (ARY Digital)Best Morning Show: Muskurati Morning (TV One)Best Anchor (Morning Show): Faisal Qureshi(Muskurati Morning)Best Newscaster (Male): Salman Hassan (Samaa TV)Best Newscaster (Female): Kiran Rizvi (Aaj News)Best Anchor Current Affairs (Male): Kashif Abbasi(Off the Record, ARY News)Best Anchor Current Affairs (Female): Asma Chaudhry (Dunya News)Best Singer (Male): Rahat Fateh Ali KhanBest Singer (Female): Fareeha PervaizBest Fashion Designer: Amir AdnanBest Stylist (Hair & Make-up): Saba Ansari(Sabs Salon)Best Fashion Editor: Faisal Quraishi (Dawn, Images)Best Female Model: Nadia HussainBest Male Model: HaribBest Film (2010): Channa Sachi MuchiBest Film Hero: Shaan (Wohti Lay Kay Jani Aai)Best Film Heroine: Saima (Wohti Lay Kay Jani Aai)Best Film Director: Syed Noor (Wohti Lay Kay Jani Aai)Best RJ (Male): Dr. Ejaz Waris (FM 92)Best RJ (Female): Naveen Waqar (FM 91)Best Theatre Group: Napa Repertory Theatre (Napa)Lifetime Achievement Award: Mehdi Hasan & Lehri