17 October 2004	Sunday	02 Ramazan 1425

PESHAWAR, Oct 16: A local musician has planned to open a cultural school in the city to impart training to the aspirants.

Talking to reporters here on Saturday, noted Pushto singer Gulzar Alam, said that he planned to open the first ever school of culture in the city. The school, he said, would start functioning initially at the premises of Peshawar College of Engineering and Technology and would later be shifted to a separate building.

Flanked by Professor Fayyaz Noor of the Peshawar College of Engineering and Technology, he said, the necessity for such a school had been long felt, because the Pashtuns have rich culture. Initially, he said, the music classes would get under way for which all the required instruments had been purchased.

He said that many of his friends, who were experts in the art of music, would visit the school to deliver lectures. "We want to promote our local culture, which is diminishing at an alarming speed. Many people have pledged to join me in these efforts," said Mr Gulzar. He said that he would invite experts from other provinces and neighbouring countries, who would teach to the students regarding modern way and techniques in the area of music.

Furthermore, state-of-the-art instruments would be purchased to train the students so that they could develop their skills on modern lines, he said.

Mr Gulzar was of the view that there was immense talent among the youngsters to learn music but they had no proper source of learning.

The school of culture, he said, would give an opportunity to the music-enthusiasts to learn the art under the guidance of musical teachers.

On the occasion, professor Fayyaz Noor said that being a professional engineer, he had a liking for music since early childhood and therefore had joined forces with Gulzar and others to establish the school.

Once the music classes get going, efforts would be made to start class for visual art, sculpture and painting.

Mr Gulzar Alam said that he had also made plans to invite singers, instrumentalists and musicians from other provinces to teach the local students. He set aside the impression that government was against the music.

Likewise, he said that known poets of the province would hired to deliver lectures about the selection of poetry for the songs and their correct pronunciations.