ISLAMABAD: Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) Director General Jamal Shah has urged the government to provide greater support to artists and strengthen the “cultural narrative”.

Mr Shah told the Senate Functional Committee on Problems of Less Developed Areas that culture has been neglected, particularly by the state, and this approach must change in order to support artists, who are tradition bearers and custodians of history.

He urged the committee, which met for details on the PNCA’s efforts to promote cultural activities, to provide more funding and create a welfare fund for artists, whose contributions, he said, were no less than that of military generals and high-ranking bureaucrats.

Senate body calls for creation of artists’ welfare fund, increased funding for promotion of arts, culture

“Artists are the defenders of the cultural frontiers. However, their skills have been limited and they have not been allowed to grow as leaders of expression,” he said.

During his briefing, Mr Shah told the committee that the PNCA’s Rs150 million budget was insufficient. He added that he had asked the government for Rs560m to promote visual and performing arts.

“We are extremely short of funds to promote cultural activities throughout the country. Nearly 94pc of PNCA’s budget goes to paying salaries and meeting regular expenditures. The remaining insignificant 6pc is spent on various activities such holding painting exhibitions, musical and theatre shows,” Jamal Shah said, adding that they would like if they committee could assist in increasing the council’s funding.

Expressing surprise at the council’s budget and on a request from all the committee members, committee chairman Senator Mohammad Usman Khan Kakar issued directions to the government to increase funding for the promotion of art and culture.

Senator Rubina Irfan also suggested creating a post for a cultural adviser to assist the government.

She said: “The government has no sense of culture and tradition. It also needs an adviser on culture, just like there are other advisers to assist the government on other matters.”

The committee also directed that an artists’ welfare fund be created, which its members believed would help support artists.

“There are renowned artists who have been forced to fall below their dignity to meals twice a day,” said Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Mohammad Shahi, who agreed with most of Mr Shah’s remarks.

Mr Shah also urged the committee to assist in the revival of cultural melas, which he believed were one of the best ways to educate people. He said it was imperative that artists perform before huge crowds, which is the greatest reward for any musician.

Mr Shah also suggested including arts such as music in the school curriculum, saying this was necessary to preserve and promote local languages.

“All these measures are important to preserve and pass on 9,500 years old history and traditions, especially to the young generation that has little knowledge of their true identity,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2017