ISLAMABAD is a blank canvas with no indigenous history. It is a cosmopolitan city proliferated with global influences. A cosmopolitan city where every language is spoken and every food is eaten. Islamabad’s identity and culture, in its most simplistic and general phrase, is a complex blend of both international and national ones - probably our best example of a global urban culture.

‘The city of the dead’ and ‘soulless’ are the characteristics often attached to the capital. The general justification for such an unfair and grim analysis is attributed to Islamabad’s status as a new city due to which it has yet to ‘carve its cultural setting’. Aside from private gatherings and dining out, there are plenty of interesting activities that are unique to the city.

The greatest joy of living in the capital means waking up every morning to the magnificent Margalla hills - over-powering and protective - while Islamabad quietly rests beneath. At night, the daylight grandeur of the hills transforms into a dark majestic shadow, dotted with tangerine lights leading up to Pir Sohawa and Daman-i-Koh. Cars travelling uphill from a distance seem like fireflies glowing in the dark.

These vehicles are the locals escaping from the temporal worlds, driving up the hill to transcend into nature, to catch a view of the city from above over a delectable meal.

However, if one chooses against dining on the hills, there is a healthier option of tracking onto the hills - a favourite amongst the fitness fanatics and nature lovers. Walking up the hill through the pebble-filled tracks while Islamabad begins to look smaller is curiously empowering.

An extreme case of escapism would not require much difficulty. Murree, Bhurban, Nathia Gali and many more holiday resorts are within two hours’ drive from Islamabad. The ancient city of Taxila rests behind the hills. On the south, if one is really in the mood for a complete change, Lahore is only four hours’ drive.

With travel to varied locations so easy, the locals move to the hills or to Lahore on every chance they get.

And if nature isn’t your ‘thing’, then there are plenty of choices in the entertainment section.

The ‘Rumours’ at the Marriott and numerous embassy clubs have plenty to offer for the party goers. Themed nights over the weekends are a common activity and for many a great way to mix with a diverse crowd.

Islamabad has been the first in producing the cult horror film ‘Zibakhana’. It is the first modern horror film shot independently in Pakistan without assistance from the film industry and the government.

The film has been touring numerous film festivals around the world. The western critics are met with a curious surprise. Finally, Pakistan has produced news outside terrorism realms - a first time teenage, cheesy gore horror film. The so-called picturesque green forests revered by all transformed into a wretched hell’s ground of horrific murders. And the initiative was taken up by the legendary Hotspot owner, Omar Khan.

Another activity in which foreigners and the locals come together to enjoy is jazz and blues music, which are widely appreciated. There have been a string of events in the last year promoting jazz and blues music performed by the local musicians.

Upper deck’s jazz night, 60s night at Planet X where all the underground bands performed rock and roll covers from the psychedelic 60s; the US embassy’s jazz night with the internationally renowned pianist Mike del Fero performing with the local professional musicians; and, the annual ‘Sweet Leaf’ jams against experimentation music and old rock covers.

Another facet that has opened up in Islamabad’s cultural arena is amateur theatre. Commonly Lahore has been the hub of serious theatre.

However, Islamabad’s homegrown youth have begun the initiative to utilise their inspirations to produce western classics merged with their Pakistani interpretations.

Osman Khalid Butt’s ‘Some Like it Hot’ and Tulin Khalid Azim’s ‘Freedom Bound’ are the first set of local plays to have hit the city. Gradually, the amateur theatre scene is establishing itself as an enjoyable Islamabad tradition.

And finally, with the opening of the National Art Gallery, more local artists will be encouraged to come forth - hopefully, opening up a new facet in the urban culture scene.

Therefore, within the realms of theatre, music, film and even nature activities should be encouraged further. Recognising these activities as part of Islamabad’s culture and identity will bring the capital on the map. With so much talent and potential, why not?

The metropolis is beginning to buzz. The recent initiatives taken in film, music and theatre are fresh and unique compared to the dreary mainstream. A young cosmopolitan city, providing a healthy balance between nature and the urban life, promising fresh additions to popular culture - surely this doesn’t sound like a ‘soulless’ or ‘dead’ city.