February 14, 2004

The Lahore Fort had come alive, as it were. Students in their school uniforms could be seen busy painting some of its important structures one day, and resplendent in regal costumes enacting scenes from Mughal history, on another. The occasion was the Karavan MeraVirsa HeritageFest organized by a group of eminent Karachiites who have been holding programmes since 2001 to create an awareness of the city’s cultural and historical heritage and to promote national cohesion. Expanding its scope to encompass similar activities in other parts of the country as well, this was Karavan’s first programme conducted in a city other than Karachi.

In fact, the programme held with the collaboration of the Ministry of Culture and Youth Affairs (Punjab), UNESCO and PSO, was unique in many ways. Not only was it the first time that two major cities of Sindh and Punjab had joined hands to promote an important historical heritage, this was also the first time that so many schools were involved in organized activities conducted within the premises of the Lahore Fort. A magnificent historical structure visited by thousands of people daily, including students, there had been no attempt till now to create any kind of affinity with the Shahi Qila or to enhance the knowledge of the visitors. The two programmes held there recently were therefore, eye-openers to the vast potential of the premises as an informal source of education.

The first programme involved the painting of some of the sections of the fort by students, for which schools had to pre-register with the Karavan Desk, established a month prior to the event at the Fort. With 49 schools registered — including government, private, special and walled city schools — there were close to 450 students that participated in the painting project, many of them holding a brush and working with a canvas for the first time in their lives. Divided into groups of ten, each group was given a kit comprising plastic mat, brushes, paints, rag, water, canvas and stationery with which to embark on their artistic spree under the able supervision of artists.

While children were merrily involved in the painting exercise seated in front of the Diwan-i-Aam, Jehangir Quadrangle and Shahjahan’s Quadrangle there were a large number of students who were just as occupied in dress rehearsals on a massive stage erected with the Diwan-i-Aam as its backdrop. As each school put up its show, they were timed and given their performance slots for the next day.

A caravan that had set out from Karachi, comprising six schools and the Karavan team, arrived by train the same day. After lunch at the Fort and rehearsals, they went off for sight-seeing and to have a sumptuous meal at the Anarkali Food Street. The night was spent sharing spooky tales at the Fort, and hoping that Anarkali would honour everyone with a fleeting glimpse of her much romanticized soul.

The following morning was even more festive and colourful than the previous day. Children forming part of the audience came in their school uniforms carrying their school banner, while performers arrived in exotic costumes. As everyone settled down resigning themselves to what threatened to be a cold and bleak day, the speeches began. Yasmeen Lari, the chairperson of Karavan Pakistan shared her vision with the youngsters, followed by Shaha Jamshed, the Karavan coordinator for the Karachi schools who spoke about Karavan’s mission. The welcome address was given by Saleem-ul-Haq, director, federal department of archaeology and the inaugural address by Ingeborg Breines, director UNESCO.

And then commenced the programme that everyone was waiting for. Beginning with the Karachi schools which put up a spectacular hour-long coordinated performance, tracing the Mughal era from the time of Humayun right up to Aurangzeb, there were brilliant performances throughout the day, culminating in the evening. And it seemed that even the skies were charmed by the children’s efforts for as the performances took place, the sun slowly emerged from behind the clouds and began to light up everyone’s day.

It was heartening to note that whether the students hailed from an elite school, or a government one, or for that matter from a special school, there was no compromise on quality of the production, and the enthusiasm of all the students was palpable. Ranging from skits focusing on the high points of the various rulers — of which the most popular seemed to be Jehangir’s sense of justice — to a parody of the Mughal era, there was plenty for the audience’s entertainment. And what a diversified audience it was, with children who had come specially from Balochistan and NWFP to witness the performances, also there.

The third day saw all the participants — of both the events — gathered as guests of the Governor House to collect their certificates of participation. Various school bands displayed their skill as everyone arrived. The 49 paintings completed on the first day had been put up as a 400ft long mural adorning the walls of the Governor House, and schools received their certificates in front of this impressive work of art. But, while everyone was undoubtedly thrilled with their achievement perhaps, the greatest excitement of all was that this was the first concerted effort towards breathing life into our national heritage.

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