When militancy reined over  the rugged terrain of Waziristan and the lush green vallies of Swat and Bajaur, art and culture became its primary casualties. The abduction and humiliation of celebrated TV artiste, Arshad Hussain, Pashtu comedian, Alamzeb Mujahid and the murder and subsequent disposal of the body of female dancer and singer, Shabana in Mingora served as a warning to the artistes to force them to say adieu to their lucrative professions. It brought cultural and artistic activities to a complete halt. Artists and musicians moved to other parts of the country while some migrated to other countries.

Nishtar Hall, the main centre for entertainment programmes in the entire Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa province was closed down in the name of a campaign against vulgarity and obscenity and remained locked up during the MMA’s five-year rule. Finally, on November 1, 2010, Nishtar Hall again opened its doors for the entertainment-starved population and from then on, the floodgates of cultural activities were thrown wide open once more.

A three-day Kaghan Tourism Festival at Naran, the Shandur Polo and Music Festival, Chitral-Gilgit Baltistan Music, Art and Craft Festival, National Folk Music Festival at Ayubia and Capacity Building Workshop for journalists at Nathiagali were some of the recent events that focussed on the revival of cultural and art activities. The festivals were organised by the Tourism Corporation Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (TCKP) and the workshop was a joint venture of Cultural Journalists Forum, Peshawar and TCKP. Established in July 2010, the forum plays a remarkable role in consolidating cultural identity.

The National Folk Music Festival, held at Ayubia from July 22 – 24, was a wonderful extravaganza from beginning to end. Renowned artists from all four provinces presented their traditional folk music and dances, displaying a sense of unity within a mixture of cultures and bringing the beauty of Pakistan’s diverse heritage to the crisis-ridden and militancy-hit areas of the country. Khattak and Wazir Attan dances from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Jhoomer and Tharri dances from Sindh, Multani and Cholistani dance from Punjab, Leva from Balochistan and local dances of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir were all presented to perfection by talented artists. Among the singers, Humaira Arshad and Shazia Khushk were two of the most successful performers who held the audience enthralled.

The Capacity Building Workshop for journalists at Nathiagali, held from July 25 – 27, was the first ever effort to educate journalists about culture, preparing a team of media people, infusing a new spirit of cultural revival in the participants and motivating them to work on numerous cultural values.

The festival and workshop provided a fantastic opportunity for visitors/participants to get to know and interpret their cultural heritage in a way that can be enjoyed by both the community and the rest of the world. Both events were designed to raise awareness about the importance of our culture. Participants admitted that there is also a wider issue of vulnerability of cultural values and a strong dedication is required to protect and conserve them for future generations.

In the adopted proposals, journalists demanded: formulation of provincial cultural policy, art councils and art academies at district levels, reopening of closed cinemas, provincial censor board, protection of archaeological and heritage sites, giving due place to local heroes in academic curriculum and annual award for local singers, artists, literati, artisans and intellectuals.

Analysing the lectures delivered at the workshop and interaction with the artists and officials of the Tourism Corporation we can draw four conclusions. Firstly, Pukhtuns have experienced many cultural shocks, one after the other. However, their culture gondola has survived many storms; each time it has not only managed to reach the coast but has arrived with the will to take on a new expedition. From Alexander the Great’s exploration of the Pukhtun belt in 330 BC to the former Soviet Union and American adventurism in the recent past, the volatile region of the Pukhtuns remained a theatre of war and violence. Despite all this, their culture survived and they are really proud of it.

Secondly, militancy has badly damaged the Pukhtun culture and social values. It has displaced people, destroyed a network of hujras (common guest houses), further weakened the thread of Pakhtunwali and harmed the customs and traditions across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal belt.

Thirdly, the crazy plunge onto the modernisation bandwagon and the blind race for a luxurious life have also taken a toll on Pukhtun culture as many Pukhtuns now feel proud to adopt a western way of life. This approach has enabled western culture to make inroads into the Pukhtun cultural values Fourthly, the revival of our culture and keeping it alive is the most urgent need of Pukhtun society. The hujra, a centre of Pukhtun cultural life, and jirga, an assembly for settling disputes, need a new lease on life. Both the hujra and jirga are passing through their worst stage. In the absence of these two institutions it might be difficult for Pukhtun culture to survive. About the importance of jirga, Kushal Khan Khattak says:

Bandobust da kianat shi pa khabaro…. Uo tar salo sadaka sha sal tarzaro……. (The Universe can be managed through negotiations. One is preferable over hundreds and hundreds over thousands.) Noorani de agha zaye chi sara keeni Deerana salor yaran la maslahat (The place, where four friends (members of the jirga) meet to settle dispute is highly lucky and worthy of being revered.)

Despite the tremendous efforts of the government there is a long way to go. Pukhtuns are required to continue their constant struggle and render countless sacrifices in order to revive their damaged culture. Among all others, the rebirth of the hujra and jirga is extremely vital.