Art, rhythm and stories unite at WCF

KARACHI:

The eighth day of the World Culture Festival (WCF) 2025 turned into a vivid celebration of music, theatre, film, and art as audiences enjoyed screenings, workshops, and a powerful multi-national stage performance titled 'Conference of the Birds'.

The evening reached its emotional peak with a soulful musical session by celebrated Balochi musician Ustad Noor Bakhsh, whose banjo melodies had the crowd dancing with joy. The day also included a screening of 'Chikkar', a Pakistani film exploring environmental and class struggles in rural areas.

During the post-screening discussion, director Syed Zaheeruddin said the film aimed to blend documentary and fiction. "It was a serious film, yet audiences laughed—so imagine what will happen when we make a comedy," he said, emphasising the need for fearless experimentation.

Actor Usman Mukhtar added that such socially conscious cinema "must continue to challenge viewers and provoke change."

An art workshop titled 'Men with the Pen' showcased painters Yaz from Comoros and Tanveer Farooqi, who shared creative techniques with students. Yaz's portrait of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah became the workshop's highlight.

Theatre artist Wendy Jehlen's direction of 'Conference of the Birds' brought together performers from the USA, Iran, Turkiye, Palestine, Indonesia, France, and Benin, symbolising unity through art.

The night closed with Noor Bakhsh's enthralling banjo performance, filling the Arts Council with a blend of Sindhi and Balochi rhythms.