Performing arts activities resume, theatres stay shut in Lahore

Actors, producers seek permission to resume work

LAHORE:

Amidst the coronavirus lockdown, performing arts activities in various fields have resumed to some extent, but the theatres are still closed, leading to protest from actors.

Businesses in several neighbourhoods in Lahore are closed due to the smart lockdown, but despite this, work in the performing arts has begun.

Famous singer Sahir Ali Baga has recorded a ghazal and released a video of it on social media. “Our original music includes ghazals but no one is paying attention towards it,” he said.

The singer continued that although he is not a ghazal singer, this effort is only a tribute to the great singers who spread the magic of ghazal all over the world.

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Theatre Action Committee Chairman Qaiser Sanaullah Khan addressed a press conference organised by artists and producers of Punjab at Metropole Cinema. Actor Naseem Vicky and others were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Qaiser Sanaullah said, “The artists of Punjab are in trouble. How do the ones responsible fall asleep?”

He maintained that artists have paid millions of rupees in taxes to the government. “Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Bazdar should allow us to open our theatres, otherwise we will observe a hunger strike,” said Khan.

Meanwhile, leading music band Raga Boys released their new song ‘Kab Ao Ge’, which was a tribute paid to Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, a well-known singer of the subcontinent. Well-known actors Ahsan Khan and Mehreen Raheel feature in the video.

Wali Hamid Ali Khan remarked that Raga Boys had presented the famous song of Patiala family in a new style, which would be liked by music lovers.

On the other hand, Actress Meera has written a letter to the prime minister, appealing for help. The actress said coronavirus had affected the economies all over the world. “Artists in Pakistan have been unemployed since January,” she said.

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“The disease is deadly, but unemployment is an even greater torment,” said the Baaji actress.

She maintained that the strategy adopted by the government to combat the pandemic is unique in the world and that is why most of the businesses have been restored.

“Coronavirus is also under control in Pakistan today due to the government's permission to do business under SOPs along with aid to the poor and employment is also available to the labourers,” she said.

However, she continued that there are still some sectors that are closed, which also include the entertainment industry.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2020.