That’s a wrap: A look back at the yesteryear’s cultural scene

From music and literature festivals to art exhibitions and dramas, 2014 had it all.

ISLAMABAD: The preceding year was eventful at best and ambivalent at the worst. The city that always sleeps woke up to a plethora of cultural activities in its midst. These included music and dance festivals, art showcases, literature festival and theatrical performances to list a few.

Music festivals

Starting off the year with the capital’s first ever month-long rock festival at Kuch Khaas, underground musicians and indie bands put up an exciting show. The festival spotlighted some up-and-coming talent in the city such as vocalist Natasha-Humera Ejaz, Saturn and Qayaas bands.



Some promising bands and musicians from Karachi joined in for the “Khayaban-e-Lussun tour”, such as Sikandar Ka Mandar, Ali Suhail, Shajie, Iman Shahid, Poor Rich Boy, Red Blood Cat and Orange Noise.

“The various events in the festival were aimed at promoting local talent and bringing them to the limelight,” said Aashir-Rayyan Khan of Kuch Khaas. Khan also plays guitar for Saturn.

However, that was not the only major event as far as local music goes. Brainchild of musicians Arieb Azhar and Zeejah Fazli — the duo that used to perform in the SweetLeaf City Live jam sessions — the Music Mela Conference promoted live gig and performance scene in the city.

According to an estimate, over 10,000 people from different walks of life swayed to folk, classical, fusion and rock tunes at the outdoor setting.

The conference was organised through a platform of Foundation for Arts, Culture and Education, in collaboration with the Pak-US Alumni Network, on the first weekend of May.

Some of the memorable performances comprised Mekaal Hasan Band with Humaira Channa and Zeb and Haniya.

According to Azhar, musicians need to make their own space because no on else will do it for them. He remains mindful of creating an atmosphere where local musicians who contribute to music, can lead respectable lives.



Along the side, the music festival featured workshops, presentations and panel discussions, highlighting music legends like Rohail Hyat of Coke Studio and Todd Puckhaber of the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas.

Literature festival

Around 120 writers, journalists and artists gathered for the second round of the Islamabad Literature Festival at a private hotel in April. There was more to the festival than literary discourse; it also featured art displays and dialogue, a dance performance by the classical performer Sheema Kirmani and a dastangoi (storytelling) session by Fawad Khan and Nazrul Hasan of National Academy of Performing Arts as well as Danish Hussain and Darain Shahidi – who had travelled all the way from India for the session.

Dialogue and debate on sensationalism in television industry also made for a thought-provoking session, while a number of books on art history, fiction and poetry were launched on the occasion.

Art exhibitions

A defining year for artists of the twin cities, 2014 presented some fresh ideas and works in the arena of visual arts.

Art displays such as “I.D.” explored the pre-conceived notions and stereotypes identifying the country in the global perspective. The artists defended their own land and identity in reaction to the associated stigmas of terrorism, corruption and flawed administration.

Theatrical performances

Dance festivals such as the month-long dance festival, “Colours of Life” at Kuch Khaas and “Raqs Revival” at PNCA brought much drama as well as contemporary and classical dance forms to the fore.

Students of legendary classical dancer Indu Mitha performed with grace and poise, while hip hop guru Zain Sadiq’s students pulled off some gravity-defying moves.

Meanwhile, two of the theatre plays staged this year — “Ghar aya mehmaan” scripted by playwright Amjad Islam Amjad and “Anwar Maqsood ka dharna” written by satirist Anwar Maqsood fell quite short of expectations and class that is otherwise their trademark.

The cultural scene, which was first interrupted by the dharnas, came to a complete halt in the wake of the Peshawar massacre. As the new year dawns, there is a renewed sense of hope and optimism that the arts and culture scene will reach new heights this year.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2014.