The film fraternity in the first week of June observed the death anniversaries of iconic figures Nannah (Rafi Khawar) and musician Kamal Ahmad. Big gatherings were held at Lakshmi Chowk, Royal Park, where offices of many film producers are located.

It was the 28th death anniversary of Nannah, a distinguished artiste of his times who started his film career in 1966 from the movie ‘Watan ka sipahi’. He shot to fame from ‘Naukar’ released in 1975.

His TV play Alif Noon with Kamal Ahmad Rizvi also earned him a lot of popularity.

Musician Kamal Ahmad’s 21st death anniversary was observed. He won admiration for his touching songs such as ‘Kis nay tora hai dil hazoor ka’ and ‘Chamba aur Chambeli ye kalian naie naveli’.

A two-day classical music festival opened at Shakir Ali Museum on Saturday. The festival has been organised by the Pakistan National Council of Arts, Shakir Ali Museum, the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage in collaboration with Sham Chaurasi Music Circle.The event aims to promote new talent and pay homage to the maestros who served music in yesteryears. Performers and musicians from Patiala Gharana, Sham Chaurasi Gharana, Gwaliar Gharana and learners from the PNCA are participating.

Among them are Ustad Shafqat Ali Khan, Qadir Shagan, Muslim Shagan, Riaz Ali Khan, Mubarak Ali Khan, Nayab Ali Khan, Inam Ali Khan, Asad Ali Khan and Qasim Ali Khan.

An exhibition of photography by Noorie Zaman Khan will open at the Alhamra Art Gallery, The Mall, on Monday (tomorrow). The exhibition will be organised by the Lahore Arts Council.

Punjab University’s College of Art and Design Principal Maliha Azmi Agha will inaugurate the exhibition.

The post production of upcoming movie ‘Hijrat’ being directed by noted TV artiste Farooq Maingal is taking place at a fast pace at a local studio.

It is Maingal’s debut movie as director. Film’s background music and other technical work are under process. The cast of the movie includes Rabia Butt, Asad Zaman, Ayub Khoso, Jamal Shah, Durdana Butt and Nadeem Baig. The film has been shot in Turkey and Pakistan.

The Punjab Council of Arts’ head office has quite a shabby look compared to art councils in different cities. The council has long been striving to have a decent looking office but these efforts have not borne fruit.

An official told this reporter that once again the council had submitted a request to the Punjab government to provide it with a spacious office.

Some officials are of the view that the Alhamra Cultural Complex, Qadhafi Stadium, is an ideal place to relocate the council’s office. The current office lacks any meeting hall, an auditorium or other such facilities. -- shoaibahmed1964@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2014