Aspiring artists: Talent hunt attracts youngsters

PESHAWAR:

Talent Hunt Peshawar, the first of its kind in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), attracted over a 100 youngsters who thronged the historic Nishtar Hall for auditions.

The event was organised by the Cultural Journalists Forum in collaboration with the K-P culture department.

Adorned in colourful dresses, the youngsters stunned the judges who did not expect so many contestants in an essentially conservative city.

One of the contestants, Nagina Niaz, 20, told The Express Tribune, “We love music but society does not accept or respect singers but I will sing.” She said her family was supportive and that was what she needed.

“We don’t have any institution to learn performing arts, otherwise more people would have come forward.” If people in other provinces can do it, why can’t we in K-P? questioned Izhar Khan,20, who appeared as an actor during the audition.

Famous Pashto singer Bakhtiar Khattak said during the past decade K-P has been portrayed as a hub of militants and this was an opportunity to send the message that peace had returned to the region.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2012.