Pakistan Day celebrations: Puppeteers highlight social values, traditions

Puppet show, music and dance performances based on traditional, patriotic themes held.

ISLAMABAD:

A puppet and cultural show enlivened the rainy morning at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) on Monday.

The puppet show, which is a weekly fixture at the venue, doled out some fresh music and dance performances based around traditional and patriotic themes.

In the backdrop of the brightly-illuminated stage, silken drapes in green and white combined into the national flag. Moreover, national songs and jingles rekindled the love for the country as puppets in bright costumes and ornamentation danced to the lively beats.

Meanwhile, among other moralistic stories, the show highlighted the tale of the naughty “Mir Ali” who is always up to some mischief but turns over a new leaf after listening to his elders and meeting some intermediate characters including rabbits, monkeys, bees, earthworms and bears in the process. By mending his ways, he sets an example for his peers.

The puppet hosts Kiran and Zulfi kept the show animated with their humorous commentary about childhood adventures and a narration of historical events from the Pakistan Resolution to the run up to the creation of the country.

They also paid homage to the independence movement leaders including Allama Iqbal, Chaudhry Rehmat Ali, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Fatima Jinnah, besides the thousands of others who worked tirelessly for the cause, turning a dream into a reality, armed with little aside their unwavering enthusiasm.

Hifza Qayyum from Islamabad Model College for Girls F-6/2 delivered a speech lamenting that while countless Muslims sacrificed their lives in the unified struggle for independence from British imperialism and for a new country, their descendants are now embroiled in ethnic and sectarian conflicts and controversies.

“Freedom does not come free, it is priceless,” she said in her speech, adding that beyond the extravagant projection of indigenous cultures, the country folk should reflect upon their past mistakes and move ahead with the promise of peaceful coexistence and prosperity.

A group of students from Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi presented a mime performance on the side effects of mobile phones in the future.

Garbed in black costumes with their faces painted white, the troupe made for an entertaining spectacle through the flickering stage lights as they flowed effortlessly from one routine to another.

Although somewhat trite in its content, the event was a refreshing reminder of valuing one’s traditions and progressing with a renewed vigour and optimism to salvage the country from the throes of its myriad of problems.

Meanwhile, speaking at the  ceremony, PNCA chief Mashood Ahmed Mirza said that our young generation was fully capable of coping with challenges. “It is our prime duty to provide them right direction, guidance and platform for the best exposure.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2014.