KARACHI, Dec 24: Theatre, a means to promote culture and peace, was the topic of a seminar held at the Pakistan Arts Council on Tuesday.

Sponsored by a theatre buff, Mr Asghar Naqvi, it was presided over by Raja Changez Sultan, director-general, National Council of the Arts, while Mr Khalid Latif, federal culture secretary, was the chief guest.

Mr Naqvi, who was known to have engaged in writing plays and present those on stage since 1990 in and around Shah Faisal Colony, first introduced the subject with the hope that theatre, if given proper place in our culture will bring a noticeable change in society.

Mr Ghazi Salahuddin supported his viewpoint. In the light of UNDP report and other sources of information, he presented a depressing picture of the Pakistani society which was almost at the lowest ebb in social development the world over.

As far as “poverty of culture” is concerned, he spoke about the University of Karachi which was supposed to be the highest institution of learning — “an intellectual wasteland.” There was no tolerance among people and free expression of ideas was ruthlessly suppressed, he said and recalled how an exhibition of art at the campus was ransacked.

Dr Adrian Hussain had a slightly different opinion. Quoting Shakespearian theatre, he said, it did not promote peace, rather it exposed the many accepted norms and unpalatable truths. “We in Pakistan,” he said “believe in cultism. We have not acquired culture as yet, and we don’t even know what is culture.”

He regretted that we were in the habit of making idols but had not the courage to break them. Dr Hussain admired the efforts of Mr Naqvi in promoting serious culture, but for that it was also necessary to break away from the accepted norms, cultism and hero worship, he said.

Prof Rafaat Karim, former head of the English literature department, who retired after a tenure of 32 years, said Shakespeare himself employed the media of theatre to promote religious values. Theatre, he said, was from the outset closely linked with religion and a certain specific purpose.

About KU, Mr Karim narrated his own experience of 15 years ago. An English play was enacted in his department and was video-taped when a crowd of unruly students finding the whole thing “un-Islamic” attacked the stage, smashed the camera and other equipment, he said.

Quoting Ibsen and Shaw, the eminent satirist and playwright, Prof Karim said theatre was the essential part of culture and it must be taken as such. Noted poet Faiz, he said, had employed poetry for promotion of peace.

Raja Changez Sultan reminded the media and also the private sector in shaping responsibilities regarding promotion of stage and culture and “informed the audience how the Arts Council was running workshops. He appreciated the role of NGOs and some aid-giving agencies in the promotion of serious theatre.

Mr Khalid Latif, concluding the deliberations, informed that a major theatre workshop will be held in Lahore. He also distributed copies of a script of the play —Ghurbat Ki Lakeer say Neechay— among the cast.—HA