The Punjab government through a comprehensive programme plans to patronise performing and fine arts while focusing on youths, officials at Lahore Arts Council told Dawn.

The officials said the Information and Culture Department had asked Lahore Arts Council Executive Director retired Captain Atta Muhammad Khan to work on a programme for performing and fine arts as part of the national narrative.

Under this programme, which is titled ‘Punjab Cultural Hunt Programme’, talent would be scouted at district, divisional and provincial levels in folk music, national songs, drawing, painting, calligraphy and photography. Initially 54 prizes would be awarded at district level then divisional and provincial levels.

Winners would be considered recipients of a cultural scholarship and provided an opportunity to launch their albums from the platform of Alhamra Recording Studio. The arts council in this regard would hire services of different singers and music composers.

The Alhamra Performing Arts Academy coordinator also said a music academy called Lahore School of Music Academy would be established at Alhamra upgrading the Performing Arts Academy. He said a proposal would be sent to the Information and Culture Department on Monday. The upgrading would include introduction of new classes besides the music academy introducing a proper syllabus and faculty.

Film production, drama, ceramics, calligraphy, photography are some of the classes that would be introduced, he added.

Following the release of its official trailer earlier this month, Big Film Entertainment and Hum Films launched the original soundtrack for Bachaana, a Nasir Khan film at a restaurant here.

Starring Sanam Saeed, Mohib Mirza and Adeel Hashmi, Bachaana is set to release on Feb 26 across Pakistan.

The event opened with an introduction by host DJ Shahpara Salim where she invited on stage the star cast comprising Mirza and Sanam, film director Khan, producer Rizwan Saeed, HUM Films Vice President Badar Ikram, singers Ali Sher and Komal Ghazanfar, script writer Saad Azhar and lyricist Shakeel Sohail, who all spoke about their experience and efforts on the film.

The discussion was followed by official premiere and screening of the songs, ‘Yaari’ and ‘Bachaana’, and a question and answer session with the panel.

The Bachaana soundtrack features three original compositions: ‘Yaari’, ‘Koi Labda’ and ‘Bachaana’ and a special mash-up, a first of its kind in Pakistan. The videos for all four songs have been directed by Nasir Khan.

TV veteran and film actor Noman Ejaz is set to star in an upcoming TV serial, Bhai, in the lead role.

Bhai introduces Ejaz in a different avatar as a dominating and feared neighborhood godfather-like figure for which the actor put on some weight to get into character. The serial was shot in the Walled City of Lahore and is produced and directed by Shoaib Khan. Other cast members include Salman Shahid, Affan Waheed, Maha Warsi, Seemi Raheel, Saboor Ali, Zoya Malik and Adnan Shah Tipu.

Bhai will air on A-PLUS on Saturdays and Sundays at 8pm.

Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV) Chairman Attaul Haq Qasmi sent a bouquet to ailing legendary short story writer, novelist and columnist Intizar Hussain. The bouquet was presented to Mr Hussain by PTV Lahore General Manager Basharat Khan.

Mr Qasmi in a message prayed for early recovery of Mr Hussain whom he said was a unique writer who had a huge contribution to Urdu literature.

Published in Dawn, January 31st, 2016