• Karachiites throng YMCA park to attend closing ceremony, concert
• It was a dream to bring artists from 40 countries to Karachi, says Anwar Maqsood

KARACHI: Scintillating music, romantic poetry and a dash of humour were the features of the closing ceremony of the World Culture Festival organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan at the YMCA on Saturday evening.

Yes, the venue, YMCA, was chosen because a mammoth number of people had registered to turn up for the event.

It all began with three of the council’s young singers displaying their vocal talent. Samir Hamza was the first one who began with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Kaali kaali zulfon and sang some more famous numbers such as Atif Aslam’s Aadat. Munib Khan was next who entertain the audience with, among other tracks, Kya hua jo lari chhooti originally sung by Xulfi. The third youngster was Mustafa Baloch who performed the famous Washmalley.

Then came the big guns advertised for the show. Poet Tehzeeb Hafi, who is popular among the young crowd, was greeted with a resounding applause. He mostly recited his ghazals. One of his verses was:

Raat ke teen bajey hain yaar ye kaisa mahboob hai

Jo galey bhi nahin lag raha aur ghar bhi nahin ja raha

[It’s 3 in the morning, what kind of beloved I have

Who neither embraces me nor leaves for home]

The session was followed by a show-reel was shown to highlight the council’s achievements.

After that, the council’s President Ahmed Shah appeared on stage with writer Anwar Maqsood, Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah and Karachi police chief Javed Odho.

Awards were given to them and to some international artists.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ahmed Shah said the objective of arranging the festival was to keep the Pakistani flag aloft. “A few days back, I saw on the media that Pakistan is the third dangerous country in the world. [Pointing at the crowd] you are the most civilised people in the world. The country will be taken forward by you, the young ones.”

He thanked the Sindh government and its administration for lending their support to the festival.

The chief secretary said when he was posted in Karachi in the month of March, Mr Ahmed Shah came to him with the proposal that he wanted to do an international festival. “I said yes. He came back after six months. At the time we were having security challenges. Such a big event was to be held, more than 40 countries and local artists and their management was required. Our administration and Shah sahib’s team deserve the credit for it. But the biggest credit goes to the people of Karachi.”

Anwar Maqsood said, “I came to Pakistan in 1948 and never left Karachi. There is no better city than Karachi. You, the young, should promise that you will put the country on the right path. I’m 85 years of age. But all my life, I wanted was to bring a smile to your faces.

“The festival that’s concluding today is a miracle. It was a dream to bring artists from 40 countries here. It’s unbelievable. The dream has come true. When I was coming to the venue today I thought I was in Islamabad because there were containers all around. But it was for your security. I talked with international artists during the festival. When they were leaving Karachi, they said to me that they wanted to stay more in Pakistan.”

Post-speeches, music returned on stage with renowned folk singer Akhtar Chanal. He started off his stint on stage with Mast Qalandar and carried on to sing some of his famous songs.

Pop singer Asim Azhar was the last artist on the performers’ list. Noman Khan nicely moderated the show.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2024