LAHORE: The Lahore Arts Council will present theatrical productions written by veteran playwrights, officials tell Dawn.

There is an acute dearth of theatrical performances. With a view to filling this vacuum, this step is being taken not only to stage meaningful and socially relevant theatre but also to provide masses with quality entertainment.

They say the theatrical productions will also include parallel theatre performances. Formation of a folk dance ensemble is also in the offing.

There are many parallel theatre groups in Lahore who are looking for an opportunity to perform at the Alhamra Art Centre, The Mall, and Alhamra Cultural Complex, Gaddafi Stadium.

The council, on the other hand, is also interested in staging plays written by the likes of Athar Shah Khan, Munir Raj, Imtiaz Ali Taj, Subhani Bayunus, Kamal Ahmed Rizvi and other prominent figures.

The council will choose plays not only from its archival collection but will also ask new writers to contribute.

The council has a treasure of old plays with its archival section. The council is also contacting different parallel theatre groups for their monthly performances at Alhamra.

Many parallel theatre groups mainly comprise young artistes from different colleges and universities which are immensely interested to present their productions from the platform of Alhamra. The council will delineate a structure for their performances.

As per the officials, the council is also pondering over the formation of a folk dance troupe. Punjab has a magnificent enriched cultural tradition in the shape of different folk dances, such as Bhangra, Seraiki charmer, Luddi, and romantic tales, such as Heer Ranjha, Sohni Mahiwal and Mirza Sahiban.

The council already has an Alhamra Academy of Performing Arts which is catering to visual art and performing art classes. The council will make arrangements to train upcoming young folk dancers who would perform both nationally and internationally and would give regular performances at Alhamra of their colourful dances.

Earlier, the Lahore Arts Council has also started a series of musical evenings titled ‘melody nights’ where young and seasoned singers regularly perform three days a week.

Khurram Naveel, an official from Alhamra, says the council is exploring every single possibility to provide quality entertainment to music and theatre lovers. Mr Naveel says after Ramazan all these activities will be streamlined.

Published in Dawn, February 29th, 2024