LAHORE: A condolence reference was organised by the Lahore Arts Council in memory of Shoaib Hashmi at Alhamra Art Centre where the friends and family shared memories of the late playwright, artiste and educationist.
The evening was moderated by LAC Executive Director Saleem Sagar. Veteran artiste Irfan Khoosat, actor and music composer Arshad Mehmood, Adeel Hashmi, educationist and artiste Navid Shahzad, educationist Dr Moeen Nizami, visual artiste Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi and actor Nadia Jamil spoke on the occasion. Before the programme, prayers were offered for the departed soul.
Adeel said his uncle Shoaib Hashmi was a lively soul and was blessed with naturally gifted wit. He recalled some of Hashmi’s memories and read out an article written by Farooq Qaiser about the deceased.
Nadia Jamil said Hashmi’s voice was charismatic and so was the choice of his words.
Zulfiqar Zulfi said his first interaction with Hashmi occurred in 1987 when Hashmi, Samina Ahmed, Arshad Mehmood, Navid Shahzad and other such artistes used to gather at Alhamra for a puppet show. “Those were great times, big personalities of performing arts used to gather here,” he remembered.
Navid Shahzad said instead of holding a condolence reference, Hashmi’s life should be celebrated. She said she first saw Hashmi when she was 10 years old and called him her guru. She also recalled old memories of Hashmi. She said Shoaib Hashmi and Lahore could not be separated.
Ms Shahzad shared with the audience the history of the Alhamra Art Centre, saying it’s a place of great significance and it used to have the dance school of Tara Singh back in 1949.
Arshad Mehmood said, “As a student of Shoaib Hashmi, I learnt a lot from him”.
He shared with the audience the times when he started doing PTV programme Akar Bakar with Hashmi in 1972. He said his style of music had the wisdom of Hashmi behind it as he would listen to my compositions and sometimes praise them too.
Irfan Khoosat said Hashmi was like a saint to him.
“He was everything for me. He and the Hashmi family played a pivotal role in making my life successful as an artiste.”
He said Moneeza sent him to Shoaib Hashmi at the early stage of his career as an artiste who gave him work in PTV’s Akar Bakar.
Dr Moeen Nizmai also spoke.
Tributes to Nisho: The Shakir Ali Museum organised a tribute for veteran actress Nisho in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council (LAC) at Alhamra Art Centre.
The tribute was attended by a good number of audiences. Dancers from National Performing Arts Group performed to the songs picturised on Nisho in different movies. The songs included Husn Ki Devi and Wey Sab to Sohnia. Singers Dr Mubashara and Malika Arzu also performed on the occasion. They sang many songs filmed on Nisho such as Agar Tum Mil Jao Zamana Chor Den Gay Hum and Mein Jo Shayar Kabhi Hota.
Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2023
