A matter of expectations: Scholars say culture policy should promote heritage
Participants says languages, minorities’ needs must be prioritised
Participants says languages, minorities’ needs must be prioritised. PHOTO: EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
Scholars have pressed for the promotion of indigenous heritage and folk traditions through a national culture policy. The demands were made during a meeting at the office of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Culture on Friday. A large number of scholar, writers and journalists were in attendance.
The moot was organised to discuss ways to improve the draft of the national culture policy that was on the cards before the 18th Amendment which devolved culture to the provincial units. It also sought to discuss the expectations and recommendations that stakeholders in K-P have about the policy.
Participants said the policy should promote tolerance and ensure protection to the indigenous cultural heritage of all provinces and regions.
The late poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz had initially started work on the national culture policy but eventually shelved the project. The government decided to resume the process in 2005. However, after the 18th Constitutional Amendment was passed in 2010, the subject of culture was devolved to the provinces. This affected the implementation of the culture policy.
Link of language, culture
Zubair Torwali said a diverse menu of languages was spoken in the northern areas of the country in the past and many of them have vanished over time.
“The [national culture] policy should make efforts to protect these languages,” Torwali said.
He added indigenous culture and heritage is linked with languages. “Until and unless our [regional] languages are not protected, it would be difficult to promote culture,” Torwali added.
A large number of participants said the policy should protect all forms of visual and digital arts produced in all four provinces. They recommended folk artistes and singers should be supported at all costs.
Eliminating misconceptions
All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement Chairman Haroon Sarbdiyal, who represented minorities at the meeting, said the policy should help protect religious and cultural norms.
“There are countless misconceptions about our religious culture and traditions,” he said. “The policy should seek to remove these misconceptions.”
Sarbdiyal said the policy should help people learn about their culture and traditions.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2016.
Scholars have pressed for the promotion of indigenous heritage and folk traditions through a national culture policy. The demands were made during a meeting at the office of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Culture on Friday. A large number of scholar, writers and journalists were in attendance.
The moot was organised to discuss ways to improve the draft of the national culture policy that was on the cards before the 18th Amendment which devolved culture to the provincial units. It also sought to discuss the expectations and recommendations that stakeholders in K-P have about the policy.
Participants said the policy should promote tolerance and ensure protection to the indigenous cultural heritage of all provinces and regions.
The late poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz had initially started work on the national culture policy but eventually shelved the project. The government decided to resume the process in 2005. However, after the 18th Constitutional Amendment was passed in 2010, the subject of culture was devolved to the provinces. This affected the implementation of the culture policy.
Link of language, culture
Zubair Torwali said a diverse menu of languages was spoken in the northern areas of the country in the past and many of them have vanished over time.
“The [national culture] policy should make efforts to protect these languages,” Torwali said.
He added indigenous culture and heritage is linked with languages. “Until and unless our [regional] languages are not protected, it would be difficult to promote culture,” Torwali added.
A large number of participants said the policy should protect all forms of visual and digital arts produced in all four provinces. They recommended folk artistes and singers should be supported at all costs.
Eliminating misconceptions
All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement Chairman Haroon Sarbdiyal, who represented minorities at the meeting, said the policy should help protect religious and cultural norms.
“There are countless misconceptions about our religious culture and traditions,” he said. “The policy should seek to remove these misconceptions.”
Sarbdiyal said the policy should help people learn about their culture and traditions.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 26th, 2016.