PESHAWAR: The students of Edwardes College, Peshawar, organised a colourful annual Pakhtun cultural day wherein different stalls were set up featuring traditional foods, beverages, dresses, handicrafts and folk dances. A large number of students, teachers, and art lovers from around the city attended the event.

The Pashto Society and the Arts and Culture Society of the college jointly conducted the cultural day in the college’s hockey ground here on Saturday. Live Pashto music, folk dances, aroma of Chapli Kabab and sipping of traditional green tea made the Pakhtun cultural day a treat for the visitors. The tonga-ride added charm to the show.

A Qatar-based old Edwardian, Jamal Qasir Orakzai, shared his fond memories with the audience. He pointed out that young students could do a lot for development of the country and its people provided they used their latent talent. He said Pakhtuns were peace-loving people because they loved art and music. He also donated Rs50, 000 for the literary and arts and culture societies of the college.

Around 25 stalls were set up by students hailing from Waziristan, Khyber, Bajaur, Malakand, Dir, Swat, Mardan, Charsadda, Peshawar and Chitral. Noteworthy among all stalls was the one set up by some Afghan students studying in the Edwardes College. Two other stalls – KP prisoners’ handicrafts and hand -made items by special people – also witnessed rush of visitors. Several groups of students attired in cultural dresses performed Waziri, Chitrali, Afghan and Khattak folk dances and received applause from the participants.

Traditional Pashto music and poetry recitation were also part of the cultural day. Prof Sareer Khan, chief of the Pashto Society remarked that the Edwardes College would continue organising such functions for students to emphasise the importance of cultural values. He said KP enjoyed a medley of cultures and should take pride in owning them.

The stalls of traditional tribal wareeta-barbecues, DI Khan Halwa, Swabi Katawa, Peshawari green tea, Dir’s Topai (cap), Charsadda special rice and Chapli Kabab kept the visitors swarming in the cold cloudy weather all the day long. Many paid token price and bought various traditional items, including chapals and shawls, to encourage the local artisans. Hindko and Pashto bookstalls were significant for displaying titles on a wide range of topics. Similarly, Hindko Betakh and Pakhtun hujra were thronged by guest students.

Allah Nazar, an Afghan student, told Dawn that local visitors took keen interest in the stall set up by his colleagues. He said it was for the first time that an Afghan stall featuring dry fruits, dresses, antiques, dishes and fresh apples was set up at the Edwardes College. He said that Kabul and Islamabad must sink their differences for ensuring regional peace and strengthening cultural ties. He said Afghan students had never felt aliens in KP because of similar culture and traditions.

Zareena Shahzeb, a student, said she enjoyed the cultural show, adding it was for the first time that she along with her friends boarded the tonga.

Prof Nayyar Firdous, principal of the Edwardes College, while opening the event said that since its inception the college had stood for quality education, multi-ethnic vision and diversity of culture.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2018