Promoting tourism: ‘An ode to the mystic city’ depicts beauty, struggle in the Walled City

Life in old Lahore showcased in new German-sponsored documentary

ISLAMABAD: A documentary screening on the Walled City of Lahore titled “An Ode to the Mystic City – Androon Lahore,” was held here on Saturday.

Produced and directed by Nageen Hyat, the documentary aims to highlight Lahore, which has always been considered the cultural heart of Pakistan.

There is absolutely no denying the fact that from the Mughal Era to date, Lahore retains a uniquely distinct ambiance when compared with other cities.

The original city was completely enclosed by a boundary wall with several gates for access and was, hence, referred to as the ‘Walled City’. And that is precisely what the documentary attempts to capture.



It focuses on the stories of residents in the Walled City, and the various problems they faced, including water, sewerage and gas issues. The documentary keeps highlighting the need to attract tourism; both local and international, to the city.

Given Hyat’s inclination towards promoting art and culture, it is no surprise that this documentary focuses on the art and culture within the Walled City of Lahore.

After the screening, Hyat said Lahore is a city very close to her heart. “I grew up in Lahore, and I felt like it was my duty to document the beauty of the city, and pay a tribute to it,” she said, adding that the process of making the documentary was a complex as there was a multitude of culture, beauty and art to showcase. “Squeezing it all in 25 minutes is a challenge in itself,” Hyat said.

Hyat narrated a few personal experiences from her childhood and said that it is unfortunate that nothing was being done to preserve the beauty of Lahore.

The documentary was supported by the German Embassy, and German Ambassador Ina Lepel attended the screening as chief guest.

The Walled City offers a wealth of heritage sites. The Punjab Government, with the assistance of various donor countries, embarked on a programme to restore several such heritage sites to their former glory. This documentary contains historical references, mostly associated with the ‘Shahi Guzargah’ (‘Royal Trail’), with a focus on the lives of residents of the area and how the changes affected their lives.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Kamran Lashari, director-general at the Walled City of Lahore Authority, said the country generally highlights only the northern areas and major monuments as tourist attractions.

“The beautiful alleys, streets and smaller monuments often get ignored, and this documentary tries to focus on them, unlike most documentaries that showcase nature,” he said. “Given the vibrant street culture we have, the Walled City of Lahore showcases the vibrancy of the city.”

Lashari said that the government of Lahore had formed a separate autonomous body to promote the Walled City, adding that the project was completely funded by the government of Punjab.

“The World Bank was onboard initially, but [eventually] gave out loans and not grants, so this is completely an initiative by the Punjab Government,” he said.

He also highlighted the various efforts that are being put into the Walled City, including “colourfully painted rickshaws, street artists and performers and twenty young tour guides who welcome all kinds of tourists and ensure they have a great time”.

Yousuf Saeed, a resident of Islamabad told The Express Tribune that he thought the documentary was a great initiative that paid tribute to the Walled City. “It is so beautifully made that even though I have been to Lahore quite a few times, I am tempted to take time off and actually go and explore the Walled City of Lahore,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th,  2015.