performers in traditional attire exhibit their cultural talents. PHOTO: WAQAS NAEEM/EXPRESS
The cultural show featured artists from all over the country who spread the message of patriotism through national, folk songs and dance performances.
Pakistan Day, a national holiday, commemorates the passage of the Lahore Resolution on March 23, 1940, when the All-India Muslim League first demanded an independent state in India, comprised of Muslim majority areas in which the constituent units would be autonomous and sovereign.
During the cultural show, singers treated the audience to a mix of popular national and famous regional folk songs.
Islamabad-based artist Shahenshah Niazi sang Ustad Amanat Ali Khan’s classic “Ay Watan, Pyaray Watan” before reciting a Punjabi song containing traditional bhangra beats.
The crowd stood on its feet when Wahid Bukhsh from Sindh appeared on stage and sang two songs made popular by his mentor, the late Allan Faqir.
Dressed in traditional Sindhi attire, Bukhsh sang impressive renditions of “Itnay baray jeevan saagar mein tu nay Pakistan diya” and “Allah, Allah kar bhaiyya.”
Holding an Iktara, a one-stringed musical instrument, in one hand, Bakhsh whirled on stage during his performance, eliciting an equally excitable response from youth in the hall.
Shan Mehsud from South Waziristan sang patriotic songs in Urdu. Mehsud has performed at music reality shows in India and has an album to his name.
The show reached its climax when the Badshah group of Waziristan performed the “Attan” dance, receiving rapturous applause from the audience.
Shabnam Naseem from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Bazm-e-Leqa singers from Gilgit-Baltistan, Bano Rahat from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Saira Tahir Noor from Lahore also performed during the three hour show.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 25th, 2013.
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