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March 08, 2007
Basant by the sea
While a bevy of events were held around Karachi to celebrate Basant in a thousand and one different ways, one cannot deny the fact that Basant by the sea is a unique experience, writes
S. S. Naqvi
Though celebrating Basant by the seaside seems to be a rather odd idea to a typical Lahori, this is the best a Karachiite can offer. In fact it has become such an accepted oddity that even Lahoris have begun to enjoy the variation.
While a bevy of events were held around Karachi to celebrate Basant in a thousand and one different ways, an industrial city that is rather alien to the commemorations of a nature festival, one cannot deny the fact that variety can add spice to the original. Last week Basant was celebrated by the Ladies Forum – the 8th Annual Karachi Festival – at the beach with much fanfare. “We celebrate on the beach,” said Farzana Rahman, “to promote beaches and its also safe to fly kites here.”
People started arriving at the Hawkesbay hut around two o’clock in the afternoon, dressed in bright shades and tones of yellow. Invitees included consul generals, bankers, people from the media and celebrities. Along with stalls sponsored by various consumer companies, there was a separate one for kites to be flown in the temperate breeze.
On the far end of the venue on a platform stood a live band playing a racy mix of bhangra and romantic numbers, adding to the balmy ambience all around. A round of tambola followed in which people almost crashed on to the platform for tickets. A singing competition and then a cooking competition followed. Women had to cook qorma, achaar gosht, and biryani at home by using a company’s packets and bring it to the venue to have it tasted by the judges, Jahanara Hai, social worker-cum-actress, and Anis Misbah, a stylist.
As comperes Ayaz Khan and Aftab Alam kept the crowd alive and laughing all through the event with their chirpy and witty one-liners, Chief Guest Ghulam Mohiyuddin, actor and legend of the Pakistani film industry, presented the prize to the Spring Queen of the event, Kanwal Durrani, a 16-year-old girl who was selected by the judges, who searched among the crowd for a beautiful face.
“I always thought Basant could only be celebrated in Lahore but I am very happy to see Karachiites enjoying the event here at the beach with equal exuberance,” said Mohiyuddin. Dr Masooma Hasan, ex-ambassador and cabinet secretary, said that Basant should be celebrated all over the beaches here as it is really enjoyable here and also promotes the tourism year of Pakistan.
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