THE horse and cattle show of Lahore is back. The occasion rekindles fond memories and, as is customary these days, spurs readymade theories about the value of cultural spectacles as a means of painting a positive image of this nation in the eyes of the wider world.

Reminiscences and international reputation aside, this is one mela like all others that the people here should be allowed to have regularly and without hindrance.

The fair was discontinued about a decade ago because of the tense security situation. It had evolved from a modest livestock exhibition to a show that now needed to diversify further.

Take a look: Horse and Cattle Show stages comeback

This is not to say that some of the old features had lost their charm. The livestock competition did create plenty of excitement as did the light show in the evenings and various other offerings such as tent-pegging, dog shows and daredevil stunts.

It was all there yet somehow the grandness of the old that had encouraged Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to rechristen it the Awami Mela in the 1970s, in sync with popular projections of himself, had worn off with time.

The foreign dignitaries who had once graced the show went missing as did some of the enthusiasm that had seen people, both from the upcoming industry and agriculture, to contribute to its expansion.

To put it candidly, just as those after Bhutto found reason to distance themselves from the ‘awami’ description that the original horse and cattle event was given, the people, too, found other attractions to occupy themselves with.

It will now take a few editions to re-establish the old link but this is a good beginning. The fair has to be fully revived. In fact, it has to be expanded upon. It is a cultural expression tied to tradition and evolution right at the grass roots.

At the same time, it is, of course, a reminder of the true Pakistan in the face of all those prone to using violent methods to establish an alien order.

Published in Dawn March 7th , 2015

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