Languages play an important role when it comes to culture and tradition for each language is woven into its cultural setting.

A special sitting was held at the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture on the promotion of Punjabi language. A resolution was passed on the occasion, saying that Punjabi should be taught as compulsory subject at primary level. One hopes that this resolution like many others passed in the past is not shelved.

Speakers on the occasion covered different aspects of Punjabi language and writers’ welfare. They said some aims and goals should be set for the promotion of Punjabi language.

A speaker suggested that government should create at least one seat of lecturer (Punjabi) in every college across the province. He said syllabus of Punjabi language should be revised to make it practicable for better employment opportunities, funds allocated by the government for Punjabi organisations should be increased and a committee of Punjabi writers/activists should be formed to set a line of action for the promotion and development of Punjabi language.

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With an Adabi Baithak at Alhamra, an Alhamra Art Baithak has also been initiated. Alhamra Art Baithak is an initiative of the Alhamra Art Gallery to create interactive space for the art fraternity.

The baithak is a space where artists interact on a monthly basis on contemporary themes in art and challenges. This platform will facilitate many art students, artists, critics, curators and people interested in visual arts in general in sharing knowledge and experience. Most programmes will be in accordance with art exhibitions at the gallery.

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Lahore Arts Council Deputy Director (Programmes) Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi has rejoined his old ‘abode’, the Alhamra Art Center on The Mall.

Some two months ago because of a friction with a higher official in the culture department he was transferred to Sargodha Arts Council, which falls under the Punjab Council of Arts, but Mr Zulfi went on leave.

Later, he was given the charge of Open Air Theatre at Bagh-i-Jinnah for sometime and now he has again landed at the arts council, but he will draw his salary from the Punjab Council of Arts. Chaudhry Asif, who was brought to Alhamra as replacement of Zulfi from the Punjab Council of Arts, would take care of Alhamra Cultural Complex, says an official.

The question arises that what Alhamra Cultural Complex in-charge Khaqan Haider Ghazi will do who is already at Alhamra Cultural Complex and who was transferred to the Lahore Arts Council from the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture.

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The idea of music and dance workshops at Shakir Ali Museum has been much appreciated by music and dance fanciers.

Both workshops had to start from June 1. The music workshop though has been on schedule on June 1, dance workshop hasn’t been started yet. The music workshop is being conducted by Shafqat Salamat Ali and dance workshop was to be conducted by Zarin Pana, a classical dancer.

According to an official of the Shakir Ali Museum, the dance workshop could not be started because Ms Pana was in China. “She might start the workshop from Monday,” said the official.

An insider told this scribe that the choreographer was not happy with the amount offered by PNCA to conduct the workshop and negotiations are under way on the issue.

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Nothing has been done to revamp the Art and Craft Museum housed in a shabby room at Alhamra Cultural Complex. The museum comes under the Punjab Council of Arts. The museum, which has crafts of Punjab, is in a bad condition and some artifacts are termite eaten. Earlier, there were plans to shift the museum to some other place, but they never materialised.

To some officials in the culture department, the museum should be placed under the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture because it has space to house it.