KARACHI, Nov 9: With a number of cultural events including photographic exhibitions, film shows and concerts taking place under its banner, the three-day Shanaakht Festival 2009 kicked off here on Monday.

Organised by the Citizens Archive of Pakistan at a private venue in Clifton, one of the festival’s premier features is a display of photographs on various subjects, most of which recall much more peaceful times in this troubled nation’s history.

‘New nation. New freedom. New responsibilities’ focuses on some of the most influential women from Pakistan’s early years. The display shows Begum Ra’ana Liaquat Ali Khan, wife of Pakistan’s first prime minister, in a variety of settings, from regal state functions to much more sedate moments surrounded by family. A particularly touching portrait shows Begum and Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan relaxing at home with their sons Ashraf and Akbar, with the children just as well dressed as their parents.

Another portrait shows the first couple photographed by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. One did not realise that along with statecraft Pandit-Ji excelled at the art of photography. The very next photo shows the Quaid-i-Millat with Begum Liaquat Ali Khan standing next to Nehru – dressed in a splendid white sherwani and crisp churidaar – as a stoic young Indira looks on. Other shots show Begum Ra’ana hosting the former Shah of Iran, Eleanor Roosevelt, with Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah as well as hoisting a flag in what was once called Dacca.

Begum Shaista Ikramullah, a former diplomat and politician, is also featured in the exhibition. In one shot she is receiving her PhD from the University of London while in another she is attending meetings at the United Nations as the deputy chairperson of Pakistan’s delegation. Begum Abida Sultaan, heir to the throne of the Indian princely state of Bhopal, is seen jet-setting across the capitals of the world as well as playing various sports. Begum Zubeida Rahimtoola is seen attending aristocratic dos in London along with her husband Habib, Pakistan’s first high commissioner to the United Kingdom. The most outstanding image is of the couple with British King George VI and his wife Elizabeth.

‘Hashim Raza: a man for all seasons’ shows the seasoned bureaucrat presiding over meetings and meeting rulers. But the most poignant image of the collection shows the elderly gentleman in 2000 outside the Quaid’s mausoleum.

‘Sunehray sapnay: Pakistani cinema in the 1960s’ is an explosion of colour. The collection of film posters features some absolute howlers, as well as some classics. For instance titles like Sher-i-Islam, Ayaz and Dr Shaitaan are sure-fire attention-grabbers, as is the poster of Riaz Shahid’s Zarqa, based on the Palestinian struggle for liberation.

Apart from the photographic exhibits, which will stay up till Wednesday, the last day of the event, other features of the festival include an exhibition of vintage cars, screening of classic Pakistan films, an evening with acclaimed writers as well as a pop concert.—QAM