Ameera Hamza + Syed Mansoor ul Hassan
Pictures : Naeem Abid Hussain
The opening ceremony of Gandhara Festival 2023 organized by Punjab Arts Council was held today at Gandhara Art Village Taxila on 29 Jan 2023. Director General Punjab Arts Council Muhammad Mehboob Alam attended the event and appreciated the efforts of the local partners including Zaildar Family of Taxila. Zaildar Ahsan Shah ,President of Pakistan Romania Friendship Association played key role in organizing the inaugural event in historical city of Taxila. Executive Director of Pakistan Research Center for Community for Shacked Future Col R Muhammad Khalid Taimur was the chief guest of the inauguration ceremony.
Indonesia Embassy held a stall that attracted large number of visitors. Mr. Herri and Ms Hira briefed the visitors about the Indonesian culture, heritage and commonalities between the cultures of two countries.
More than 20 stalls based on sculpture, stone carving, and Gandhara art are being set up by expert artisans. Moreover, traditional food, a kids’ play area, and a book fair on Gandhara are also part of the festival.
Mr. Ahsan Shah in his welcoming address shed light on the history of the city. He emphasized that not only the sites but whole city should be declared world heritage.He called upon the policy makers and opinion makers to help raise this demand.
” Taxila is not only the center of Gandhara civilization but it was a milestone on Silk Route as well. This city was the destination of knowledge seekers. Taxila had universities where the students would come for education from different parts of the region, Ahsan Shah shared.
Here it is worth mentioning that Gandhara Art Village was established thank to the efforts of Zaildar Syed Zaheer ul Hassan Shah, father of Ahsan Shah.
Col R Muhammad Khalid Taimur said that today we are at the foot of the mountains of fragrances to highlight Gandhara, the great center of world cultural heritage. This region has been a mirror of different religions and today we are the heirs and trustees of this civilization. We have gathered to spread the fragrances of this civilization, to refine its art, to spread its colors, to appreciate the masterpieces of its artisans and to inspire its knowledge. The meaning of Gandhara is the land of fragrances.Through these fairs, we will spread the fragrance of tolerance and tolerance in our country, which will stand out as a message of peace and love for humanity.
Director General Punjab Arts Council Muhammad Mehboob Alam while addressing the inaugural ceremony said that Pakistan has been the center of various great and ancient civilizations since time immemorial. In the bosom of this earth, different civilizations have flourished, grown and spread colors with their beating hearts since time immemorial.
This land has nurtured the well-known and reliable civilizations of the world and they have highlighted scientific, literary and cultural phenomena. Punjab is a combination of three major regions: desert, plains and pothohari regions.
Punjab arts council has arranged various fairs this year to highlight Gandhara, Harappa, Indus Valley Civilization and Hakra Civilization. Director Punjab Arts Council Rawalpindi Waqar Ahmad said that the promotion of culture is one of the first priorities of the Punjab government.
Along with Gandhara, Punjab Arts Council will also organize festivals on Hakra culture of Harappa, Sindhi and Cholistan. In the opening ceremony, a band from Switzerland led by wajih Nizami made the audience dance.
Folk singer Sain Zahoor. Presented his Sufi songs in a narrative style and the audience received great applause from the audience. The followers of Buddha from Sukkur also performed in the festival. The festival will continue till February 4.
Detail of Gandhara Festival 2023:
1. Opening Ceremony at Taxila Museum on 29th January 2023
2. Ghazal Night by Ustad Hamid Ali Khan at Rawalpindi Arts Council
on 30th January 2023
3. Dastan Goi by Fazal Jutt & Group and Dhol Performance by
Shoukat Dholi at Rwp Arts Council on 31st January 2023
4. Mehfil-e-Samaa by Imran Aziz Mian at Rwp Arts Council on 1st
February 2023
5. Folk Muscial Nigth by Afshan Zebi and Mushaira at Rwp Arts
Council on 2nd February 2023
6. Sufi Dance by Versatile Group and Sufi Night by Sawaal Band at
Rwp Arts Council on 3rd February 2023
7. Thematic Drama “Ashok Samrat” and Certificate distribution
ceremony at Rwp Arts Council on 4th February 2023
Note: Entry is free.
