Coke Studio: Musicians, exhibitors cancel their shows

Artistes, cinema owners show solidarity with Peshawar victims

KARACHI: Shockwaves of the Peshawar attacks are being felt throughout the nation and in this time of crisis the artist community of Pakistan has decided to show solidarity with the victims of the attacks.

Many artists and musicians have already cancelled their performances, which were scheduled to take place in the coming few days.

Fresh of his stint on the seventh season of the Coke Studio, Sajjad Ali, who was to perform at the Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture in Karachi, Tuesday night, has indefinitely postponed his performance.



“It’s a sad day in the history of Pakistan and as an artist I would feel guilty if I decided to proceed with my performance when such an incident has taken place. As a human being, it is our responsibility that we share their grief and sorrow. This is the least we can do as artistes,” Sajjad Ali told The Express Tribune.

The Rafi Peer Theatre, which had organised a two day International Dance Festival in Islamabad, decided to call it off in light of the events in Peshawar.

They posted a statement on their official Facebook page stating, “In honour of the innocent lives that have been taken away, we have decided to call off the second day of the dance festival.”

Other notable performers, who have called off their performances in the coming few days, also include the bands Qayaas and Fuzon.

The front-man of the Pakistani rock band, Umair Jaswal spoke of his sorrow and regret at the happenings in Peshawar.

Fuzon were also going to perform a concert on Tuesday but have announced the cancellation of their show.

“We have called off our concerts as it is a time for sorrow rather than festivity,” remarked Fuzon band member Immu.

Asrar also told The Express Tribune that he had cancelled all his “gigs, recordings and concerts” for the coming few days.

Owner of Atrium Cinemas and Centaurus Cinema, Nadeem Mandviwalla expressed his disapproval of the attacks and said his cinemas shall remain closed “in condemnation of the barbaric act of terrorism” in Peshawar. Meanwhile an official of the Cinepax Cinemas informed that “The entire chain of Cinepax cinemas shall remain closed across the country.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2014.