ISLAMABAD, May 26: Exuberant Dhol beats, folk dance and delicious meal marked the end of year-long activities of the Asian Study Group (ASG) on Friday evening. Diplomatic families and Pakistanis converged at the residence of Canadian High Commissioner David B. Collins to celebrate the accomplishments of the members of the ASG and bid farewell to their outgoing president.

As the sun went down and lights came on setting the mood right for the magical surroundings in the front lawns of the ambassador’s residence, the performances that ensued added glamour and energy to the proceedings.

In the background played soft exquisite songs of Mai Bhagi who was a legend from Thar, Faiz Baloch, Hidayatullah, Mastana Parwana, Aneeqa Bano, Kashmiri singer Subhan Rathore and Punjabi folk legend Tufail Niazi.

The evening began with prize distribution among the best photographers whose images were selected for ASG’s 2008 calendar.

The programme was punctuated by an engaging quiz contest about the facts and figures of Pakistan, and winners walked away with bundles of prizes.

This was followed by an ethnic dress show in which models presented colourful dresses of Kalash, NWFP and Punjab.

Chaap Ruks, an eastern Balochi folk dance, charmed both young and old seated around tables as well as those sitting on pieces of carpets spread in a u-shape in front of the stage.

Both mind and body reacted as a unit to the heavy beats of the double barrel Dhols of Dhrees performers, led by Mohammad Ramzan, who had been invited all the way from Jhang.

Easily, the evening’s most entertaining experience, the lilting and fast tempo beats of the Dhol entwining with the singing of traditional folk songs and Bhangra dances got everybody moving.

Wearing yellow kameez, red and green dhotis, red turbans over their heads and clapping khartals (wooden instruments worn in fingers for clapping sounds), the Dhrees dancers entered in a line, dancing to the potent beats, circling around the audience and then making their way to the front of the stage.

Repeated hooting and applause accompanied the beat of the drums, while the dancers tried to keep up with the rhythm.