New Year gala: Diversion to raise spirits of the youth

Musical evening, dress and jewellery exhibitions held.

PESHAWAR:

With most of the events in the city cancelled for the past few weeks due to the volatile security situation across the province, residents of the provincial capital were treated to a much-needed diversion on Saturday.

Five days into the New Year, a New Year Gala was held at the Royal Club that catered particularly to the youth.

A number of local singers came on stage and enthralled audience with their performances, while local dresses and traditional jewellery were put up on display. On a few traditional scores by the performers, the enchanted youngsters, including university students, performed traditional Attan dances.

The event was held by Eagle Event Organisers in collaboration with various local sponsors. The event was inaugurated by Shagufta Malik, the chairperson of Standing Committee on Culture and Youth Affairs.



Pir Kashif, a visitor said that due to the fragile security situation people have been forced indoors and the youth in particular are in need of such recreational activities. “We want to tell the world that we are not afraid of any situation and would enjoy our lives no matter what,” he said.

Nosheen Abid, a local fashion designer said the youth are taking up modern fashion trends and are leaning away from their traditional dresses. She said she has been coming up with designs of traditional dresses fine-tuned on modern lines and hoped that they would make an impression on the youth. She said due to the security situation people are afraid to visit boutiques, which is why sales of her dresses have not been as high as she expected, adding that most of her orders are taken online through her website. She hoped that the situation will improve and the markets will once again be thronged by the youth.



Abdul Qadir and Kiran, who displayed traditional Pakhtun, Kochi and Islamic jewellery at the event, said the jewellery had lost its charm among the people but is slowly picking up again. “We have worked extensively for the survival of the jewellery and many of our exhibitions being postponed due to the security situation has not helped our efforts,” said Kiran.

Kashif Zaheer, the event organiser said the purpose was to bring a sense of normalcy, which has been marred by militant attacks across the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2013.