Pakistan National Council of the Arts Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage, Government of Pakistan News Flash April 2016 - June 2016 Youth Drama Festival 2016 Following stage plays were presented in the Festival by College and Universities Students. Love Aaj Kal Zameer Saat Pardoun Main Umeed Alif Iqbal Gungi Joru Dia Jalaye Rakhna Ishq Gadager 1
Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship 5 th April, 2016 Fifteen Member Sri Lankan Army Orchestra comprising of classical and traditional musicians performed at Pakistan National Council of Art Auditorium in Islamabad organized by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pakistan in collaboration with Pakistan National Council of the Arts. The group visited Pakistan under a special invitation of the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan. The Event was attended by diplomats, government officers, and other dignitaries. The Orchestra performed classical tunes and presented Sri Lankan as well as Pakistani patriotic songs which were well received by the audience. Puppet Show 20 th April, 2016 The Puppeteers of PNCA visited Abbottabad and presented puppet show at Modern Age School and College. The students were entertained and educated through puppets. Importance of environment education and good health was the main theme. The puppet team also visited Murree and presented puppet show at Convent School on 2 nd June, 2016. Pak-China Cooperation 26 th April, 2016 An agreement for cooperation in the field of culture between Pakistan National Council of the arts and Embassy of the People s Republic of China for extending space (Two Galleries) for their culture activities is being signed by Director General PNCA and Cultural Counsellor Embassy of China at the National Art Gallery, Islamabad. The agreement will help in bringing people closer to the Chinese art and culture. This close interaction between the artists will further strengthen the existing cultural relations between the two countries. Exhibition Natural Inspirations by Masooma Abbas 5 th April, 2016 Exhibition of Dr. Masooma Abbas art works (Land Scape) held at the National Art Gallery. Art pieces with magically used bright colours reflecting Masooma s love for nature were displayed. The exhibition was highly appreciated by the art lovers of twin cities. 2
Tribute to Anna Molka Ahmed 25 th April 10 th May, 2016 A seminar titled Tribute to the creative spirit of Prof. Anna Molka Ahmed held here at National Art Gallery. Speakers including Dr. Shoukat Mehmood, DG PNCA Iftikhar Babar, Shahida Manzoor and Zameer Haider Babri highlighted the services and contributions of the legendry painter. Her interview in which she emphasized on the importance of national language Urdu was also shown. Her main achievements are: Established Fine Arts Department in the Punjab University in 1940. Gradually the art department became popular, unwilling parents started sending their daughter for admission. Boys pressed for admission. It was only in 1956 that boys were granted permission to join. In 1958, M.A. Fine Arts started. In 1960, 3 years course and B.A. Honors classes began, after which one year s study could lead to M.A. degree. In 1964 she started professional courses for the painters and graphic designers, leading to the degrees: D.F.A. Painting: B.F.A. Graphic Besides, she continued to paint and sculpt. Her work can be grouped as landscapes, the most distinctive of her creative expression. These contain the stamp of her personality more than any other of her creative expressions. This is also what had influenced her students greatly. " The sun is a magician. It brings out the colour. When there is no sun, there is no colour. I am not interested in painting when the sky is overcast with dust or clouds. There is colour even in the shadows, as the Impressionists taught. The shadows are always in the complementary colour of the subject." "In England, the land of my birth, everything is grey. The sky is clouded, the walls, the roads, the dresses, all are grey. When I came to Lahore, the sun was everywhere. I love to stand out in the sun and drink in the sunshine and the bright colours. That is why I love to put these bright colours in my painting too. But now with age, the colours are fading out of my painting. Anna Molka Ahmed News Flash - July 2015 - March, 2016 3
Drama Workshop 25 th April 10 th May, 2016 16 days drama workshop was conducted by prominent artist / director, Salma Dilawar Mir at PNCA lecture hall. A large number of artists and students attended the workshop. Participants were given training in use of voice, throat, gesture, stage, light etc. Seminar 9 th May, 2016 PNCA arranged a Seminar in collaboration with Al-Aqsa Welfare Trust at PNCA Auditorium. The Trust is working for arranging safe blood to the hospitals and encourage people to donate blood. Handicraft from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 27 th April, 2016 Exhibition of the Handicrafts from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa held at the National Art Gallery. Beautiful art and craft pieces of KP were displayed, A large number of peoples visited the exhibition and appreciated the effort. Chinese Film Week 13 th 15 th May, 2016 The Embassy of the People s Republic of China in collaboration with Pakistan National Council of the Arts and Shanghai Film Distribution and Exhibition arranged Chinese Film Week from May 13 15, 2016 at PNCA Auditorium, Islamabad. DG PNCA Syed Ifthikar Hussain Baber, Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong, President of Pakistan films Association Syed Noor and representative of SFDEA spoke on the occasion. Four films River, The Verse of Us, ATA and Young Love Lost were screened for three days. 4
Youth Drama Festival 2016 16 th 22 nd May, 2016 PNCA Youth Drama Festival 2016 was arranged at PNCA Auditorium. Seven plays Love Aaj Kal by COMSATS Institute of Science and Technology, Zameer Saat Pardon Main by Fatima Jinnah Women University, Umeed by Wafaqi Urdu University, Alif Iqbal by Quaid-i-Azam University, Gungi Joru by Arid Agricultural University, Diya Jalaye Rakhna by Govt. Post Graduate College, 6 th Road, Rawalpindi and Ishq Gadagar by SZABIST were staged. The plays of the festival were judged by the professional and experienced artists Fozia Tahira, Afzaal Lateefi and Shahid Masood. An Evening of Regional Dances & Music 16 th May, 2016 An evening of Regional Dances and Music was arranged at FTC Auditorium, Karachi. Renowned folk singers, comedians performed on the occasion. National Performing Art Group presented folk dances of Pakistan. A large number of people from all walks of life attended the event. News Flash - July 2015 - March, 2016 5
Figurative and Conceptual Drawing Workshop 16 th 23 rd May, 2016 Famous visual artist Aleem Dad Khan conducted an eight days workshop of figurative and conceptual drawing at National Art Gallery, Islamabad. A large number of artists and students participated in the workshop. The participants were imparted training of drawing art and on spot sketch making of the models. 65 th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Pakistan and China 22 nd May, 2016 A cultural show was jointly arranged by PNCA and the Embassy of People Republic of China in connection with celebrations of the 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the two countries. Chinese and Pakistani artists presented folk music, dances and acrobatics. Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage, Senator Pervez Rashid was the chief guest. Advisor to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Tariq Fatmi and Chinese Ambassador also attended the function. 6
Concluding Ceremony of Youth Drama Festival 2016 23 rd May, 2016 Concluding Ceremony of the PNCA Youth Drama Festival 2016 held at the PNCA Auditorium. A special play Gwadar Express prepared by the students of the drama workshop was presented. 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd awards went to Quaid-i- Azam University, COMSATS and Wafaqi Urdu University respectively. Certificates were awarded to all participants. This is a regular feature of PNCA activities with the aim to promote serious theatre and provide healthy entertainment to the masses. Magic / Puppet Show 7 th June, 2016 A number of school students of Islamabad alongwith their parents and faculty members visited National Art Gallery to witness a specially crafted Puppet/ Magic Show here at PNCA. Children were educated about the importance of education, health and environment through puppets. Information about folklore of Pakistan was part of the show. Children were entertained through magic. They were explained the process of puppet making and its operation. The visitors also took round of the National Art Gallery. Mehfil-e-Milaad for Ladies 23 rd June, 2016 To observe the sanctity of the Holy month of Ramazan, Mehfil-e-Milaad for ladies was arranged by the PNCA. During the Mehfil, the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the sacredness of the month of Ramazan were highlighted with special emphasis on the spiritual and physical benefits of fasting. Naat-e-Rasool-e-Maqbool and Darood-o- Salaam presented by the Naat Khawans. Families of Fedral Secreatry Information and Director General PNCA attended the Mehfil-e-Milaad. News Flash - July 2015 - March, 2016 7
LAHORE Painting Exhibition on Kashmir Day at Shakir Ali Museum 7 th April, 2016 Painting Exhibition and workshop scheduled for Kashmir Day was delayed due to the non-availability of space. The programme was held on the 7 th April, 2016. 11 schools were involved and 50 art pieces were selected and displayed. Dr. Ijaz (Nana) was the chief guest. Print and media coverage was there to acknowledge the contribution. A large number of audience and artist community showed their presence to acknowledge the event. Photo Exhibition The Creative Moment 12 th May, 2016 Pakistan National Council of the Arts Shakir Ali Museum in collaboration with Camera for People arranged an exhibition of photographs curated by Ms Amina Yaseen and Umair Ghani. The exhibition, based on inspired vision of Shakir Ali, was part of the centennial celebrations. THE CREATIVE MOMENT showed self-printed photographs on various surfaces commemorating Shakir Ali s quote, between silence and the thought, lies the creative moment. International Dance Day 2016 Musical Tribute to Shakir Ali 29 th April, 2016 International Dance Day is a yearly event. PNCA Shakir Ali Museum is contributing, celebrating and promoting the cultural heritage through this dance event. Since 2010 every year Shakir Ali Museum puts a cultural show together to celebrate International Dance Day on the 29 th April in Lahore. NPAG, Lahore office has paid tribute to the Dance Icons of Pakistan since 2011 by paying tribute through celebrating International Dance Day. The event has gained enormous success over past 5-6 years. International media also covers & promotes the soft image of Pakistan through this event every year. This time Mrs. Roshan Ara Bokhari a Dancer & Choreographer will be honored. 8 Designed & Produced by Publication, Research & Reference Division, Pakistan National Council of the Arts F-5/1, Islamabad. Ph: 9205336, 9205274 Fax: 9205392 Email: pncoaisb@gmail.com Web: www.pnca.org.pk