KARACHI: Three day Pakistan Literature Festival (PLF) organised by Arts Council Karachi at Alhamra Arts Council Lahore concluded with performances and interactive exhibitions on art, poetry, society, economy, entertainment ventures and tributes celebrating rich literature, culture and legends of country.

Ahmed Shah President Arts Council Karachi said how festival was “Phenomenal success” and that it achieved more than what they expected “100 times more than that”, he said.

Festival lauded services and work of Naheed, Dada and Nahid Siddiqui and presented them with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Event concluded with few words by Anwar Maqsood on culture, society and Pakistan.

“I’ve done lot of public festivals in Karachi. I know city and its people well and I’m comfortable with it but I was taking an event of grandeur to Lahore for first time. I’ve never seen this interest in Karachi either,” he exclaimed.

“If there’s an event about poetry at five-star hotel, even if it is free, a poor man would think twice before going to it. They’ll feel weird about it,” he said. “That hesitation is what I wanted to lose with this event.” “That alone was testament to how thirsty people were for taste of literature and arts in city,” Shah said.

Event was inclusive of all forms of arts and had sessions and activities for all age groups. There was live painting, classic dance performances, book stalls, food, concerts and discussions on current affairs like climate change, bad air quality of Lahore and economy, among other topics.

Urdu, Punjabi and Siraiki literature was discussed. He recalled, “It wasn’t surprising that huge crowd of youth was there to listen to Ali Azmat, Asim Azhar or Ali Zafar.” There were sessions on Iqbal, Faiz, N M Rashid and so much more.”

We have to promote cultural activities. Lahore, Multan and Sindh are part of same Indus civilisation, but Lahore is an ancient cultural city which has its own history and culture.

Event faced two major hiccups-Zia Mohyeddin’s session was cancelled due to his ill health (now he died) at time and legendary poet Amjad Islam Amjad’s demise. We remembered Fehmida Riaz, Sindh Minister of Education and Culture Syed Sardar Ali Shah also attended event.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 14 2023

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