PESHAWAR: In a rare gesture, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government hosted around 500 artists, poets, writers and musicians chosen as the Living Human Treasures of the province at the Chief Minister’s House and launched a scheme of giving them monthly honoraria in recognition of their talent and service to society and culture.

Many names, voices and faces, which were familiar yet almost forgotten, were seen under the red canopy on the green lawns of the CM House.

Some artists said they had come to the place for the first time and were overwhelmed with the honour with which they were treated.

CM House hosts 500 chosen as Living Human Treasures of the province

“Though late, we are overjoyed the way the government has owned us and showed this kind gesture to us,” said Ahmed Gul, a senior Pashto folksinger.

Aqal Meena, a famous old Pashto singer, tried to hide her face in white chadar but could not hide her tears as she spoke how this monthly honoraria would help her live old age with decency.

TV artist Sidra got emotional as she spoke of how for three years, she remained bed-ridden and said she was feeling happy to be among the Living Human Treasures of the province.

She said forced to be out of work due to health reasons, the honoraria would help her live with honour and pay her bills.

Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah, a famous and senior radio and TV artist known for his fatherly figure look and enchanting voice by all those familiar with Pashto drama, said he had been sick and his voice was not the same anymore.

He however seemed to be feeling light at how they were owned by the government and supported financially in an honourable manner.

Wagma, another Pashto singer, who had almost lost fight against cancer and poverty, had put on pink lipstick and seemed happy and healthier than before.

She was provided financial assistance earlier by the culture department but this time around, it was more in an honourable manner as she was made to feel it was not charity but a token of recognition of her talent.

There were numerous famous faces having the similar gesture of contentment as they had tea and took photos with Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan and their colleagues and fans.

Imran Khan who did not speak about any political issue on the occasion for a change only seemed satisfied with the launch of a scheme to help artists.

He said artists were the opinion-makers in a society and that the artists, who remained original, were the real promoters of culture and arts.

Culture secretary Azam Khan, whose team worked to actualise the scheme within few months, said he felt happy to have made creative community of the province happy.

“It was long overdue keeping in view the wave of terrorism in the province that had affected everyone. More important than the money factor is the recognition of their talent and their dignity, which is important in any society claiming to be civilised,” he said.

Azam Khan said it was time the federal government and International community chip in as these were the minds and hearts that would change the narrative and help in countering militant mindset and help heal an agonised society. It would be a slow but sure process, he said.

The culture department through selection committees consisting of artists, writers and musicians reviewed and selected 500 from their own fields out of around 1,600 applications. Those given certificates and cheques of the Living Human Treasures will receive Rs30,000 per month for around next eight months, said culture director Abdul Basit.

Chief Minister Pervez Khattak, however, announced Rs500 million for setting up an endowment fund to continue financial support and welfare of artists.

He also announced the establishment of culture centres at divisional level to be extended to district level once the process starts.

Salma Shaheen, a famous Pashto poetess and one of the selection committee members, said artists were like blood in the veins of society so if the artists are creative and working those societies lived and contributed to the arts and culture.

She asked the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to keep supporting them and also promote Pashto language.

Abaseen Yousafzai, another writer and poet, who was a member of the committee, said culture secretary Azam Khan had empowered them to choose names of those deserving to be called Living Human Treasures of the province without feeling any political pressure and interference.

“Decide keeping only God as your witness,” he narrated the selection process.

Salahuddin, another member, sharing how hard they tried to be just in decisions said if any names were left out, it should be taken as the committee’s fault and that the government should not be blamed for it.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2016