SUKKUR: The weeklong Sindh Theatre Festival 2024 jointly organised by Arts Councils of Pakistan, Karachi, and Sukkur, showcased a thought-provoking theatre play titled Artificial with Artificial Intelligence as its theme on the third day of the festival on Wednesday.

The festival was inaugurated by former caretaker Sindh minister and president of Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, Mohammad Ahmad Shah, at Pakistan Arts Council, Sukkur, on Monday. The Artificial was directed by Hassan Abbas.

Mr Shah, who was chief guest at the event, said the festival would run throughout the week and its each day was marked by presentation of various theatrical performances.

He pointed out that Pakistan was being divided on linguistic, religious and ethnic lines but they theye trying their best to connect it through culture. The government institutions were not taking steps to effectively connect the country, hence there was need to activate cultural institutions to serve the purpose, he said.

He urged residents of Sukkur to take ownership of their city and clarified that his aim was not to act as big brother but only to assist wherever necessary.

He advised engaging youth in positive activities to help restore the city’s former glory. Sukkur Arts Council had taken the lead among all arts councils, he said, adding that last year, five Sindhi and as many Urdu dramas were presented and this year they had focused on promoting Sindhi language.

The festival featured Rai Diyach directed by Wafa Dildar, Dunya musafir khano (Mola Dad Jatoi), Artificial (Hassan Abbass), To khan poe (Saleem Raja), Chandoki (Zuhaib Mahar), Ko zamano byo aa (Ansaar Mahar), Zorawar zaal (Hafeez Jamal).

The organisers announced that entry for public was free into the arts council to enjoy all the dramas throughout the seven-day festival. The program would continue till April 21.

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2024