May 10, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 4, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 9: “Beyond Borders” was an end-of-the-year event organised by the Asian Study Group (ASG) here on Friday night that showcased the colours of Pakistan and four other Asian countries.

Held on the lawn of Canadian High Commission inside the secure boundaries of Diplomatic Enclave, the entertainment-cum-music event attracted people from diverse cultures and nationalities.

Some brilliant Qawwali performances by Faiz Ali, a maestro from Sham Chaurasi Gharana, and a show of Saris by amateur models turned the unusually cool May evening romantic for the international audience.

The models, in a semi catwalk, projected a rich variety of Saris ranging from the North Indian (Gujarati) to Maharashtrian and from Dravidian to Kodagu and Gond. They also walked in Banarasi Saris made of finely woven silk and decorated with elaborate engravings, which are normally worn on important occasions such as weddings.

On the occasions, songs and dances were also presented highlighting the richness and diversity of Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Sri Lanka.

Nadia, a singer from Bangladesh, enthralled the participants with her cuckoo-sweet voice while singing to the tune of some very traditional folk and modern Bengali music. Her love song, Ditang Ditang Bole virtually brought the participants to their feet. This was followed by a dance show by three children from Nepal.

President of the ASG Parveen Malik and the Canadian High Commissioner David B. Collins distributed a variety of presents among the winners of various competitions including quiz and lucky draws.

The ASG had also put on display a variety of Saris with brief introductions, but not for sale, to promote the Asian clothing and the history behind it.

Some of the Saris made of cotton also took the visitors back to Mahatama Ghandi’s struggle of reminding the Indians to stick to their own products while achieving the larger goal of an independent India.

President ASG Parveen Malik told Dawn that the group was a voluntary non-profit organisation formed in 1973 in Islamabad to allow members of the community, both foreigners and Pakistanis, to learn more about the culture, geography, history, religion, environment, crafts and customs of Asia in general and Pakistan in particular.

She said the group organised lectures, discussion meetings and other events regularly. It also organised trips to various parts of Pakistan.

The group’s annual activities began around the end of September with a general meeting to register members.