KARACHI: The National Academy of Performing Arts’ convocation for 2013-14 was held in the academy’s in-house theatre on Saturday evening.

The event began with a sitar recital by Ustad Nafees Ahmed Khan accompanied by Ustad Bashir Khan (tabla). Their stint on stage was enjoyed by the audience, especially its latter part.

The recital was followed by Napa’s CEO and President Zia Mohyeddin’s performance. He read out a humorous prose piece and then recited four beautiful Urdu nazms: ‘Samandar Ka Bulawa’ by Miraji, ‘Dau Ishq’ by Faiz Ahmed Faiz, ‘Merey Bhi Hain Kuchh Khwab’ by N. M. Rashid and ‘Lalit’ by Adeeb Sohail. The sequence of the poems was carefully chosen because Adeeb Sohail’s remarkable lines, a kind of an ode to classical music, ably supported by Ustad Nafees Ahmed’s sitar and vocal pieces, provided a befitting end to the act.

After that Mr Mohyeddin delivered his welcome address. He looked back on the nine-year journey of the academy and said it was a difficult undertaking in a society where there was no worth-mentioning tradition of theatre. In 2004 a handful of people, who had the training and experience in the field of theatre, were picked to become part of the academy. The courses that were taught all over the world were taught to Napa’s students, he said. Today the seed that was sown had now grown into a fruit-bearing tree. Now the students were doing well in their respective areas of interest, making their presence felt in theatre and the TV industry. He pointed out that the Napa Repertory Theatre had put up 38 plays in five years.

With regard to the music department, Mr Mohyeddin said the academy familiarised its students with all types of music.

Traditionally, the ustads belonging to classical ghranas trained only their sons or nephews and had differences with other gharanas, but at Napa the students were taught without any such notions. He said there were even a couple of boys who were learning how to play the sarangi, an instrument whose sound had been silenced for quite some time. In connection with the impetus gained by theatre-related activities in the country, Mr Mohyeddin said Napa’s intention was to produce the theatre that talked about the human condition and the complications one faced in life leading one to create a universal view.

CEO of the Dawn Media Group Hameed Haroon was the chief guest on the occasion.

In his keynote speech, Mr Haroon first shed light on how long he had known Zia Mohyeddin, Arshad Mahmud, Nafees Ahmed, Bashir Khan and Dr Ishrat Husain and briefly spoke on their talents. He emphasised the importance of sustaining art in the 21st century, and with reference to Pakistan he said it was not an easy task.

Mr Haroon said the groups that were required for art’s sustainable model: artists, teachers, interpreters, parents, government and impresarios. He said an impresario should learn not to tread beyond his ambitions as his task was to facilitate, not replace, the platform for the arts. He touched upon the difficult times, Ziaul Haq’s dictatorship, when it was not easy to be an artist or to appreciate art; when dance was banned and literature was censored.

Mr Haroon then spoke on the things that could be done to further strengthen Napa, a few of which were: the eviction notice served on Napa should be withdrawn; the academy needed to engage the Hindu community to redress their grievances; massive funding was required for the academy; the establishment of an archival corner for which he and the Dawn Media Group were willing to help and cooperate; and create corporate linkages to support the graduates.

In the end Mr Haroon gave away certificates to the graduating students.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2014