SWABI: Artistes from various universities enthralled the audience with their marvelous performances during a three-day arts festival which concluded at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology here on Monday.

The festival was organised by Cultural, Dramatics and Entertainment Society (CDES), a prestigious body of GIK students.

The participants said it was a great moment for them to come out from the shadows of tight semester system and study load to enjoy the performances in the packed auditorium of the institute.

The event featured a remarkable amalgamation of traditions, cultural aspects, styles and disciplines of dance and drama. In the comedies and plays some of them were remarkable.

Adnan Jahangir, a well-known dancer, stole the show with his remarkable performance along with his troupe.

He said, “In the last few years he did not miss a single festival of the GIK festival and really enjoyed performing here to a patient audience.”

Mr Jahangir, also a choreographer, has performed nationally and internationally.

The Sufi dance displayed by a troupe was also amazing. Five dancers attired in long frocks performed to the thunderous applause of the audience.

In the plays, the drama of Air University, Islamabad, ‘Mai Ghulam Rasool Hon,’ was outstanding. All the characters fluctuated between seriousness and funny aspects, taking the audience with themselves.

The play highlighted the narrow-mindedness prevailing in the society and vulnerability of people from falling prey to the negative approach of the elements with vested interest.

Mohammad Ibrahim Arif, who played the versatile role of Ghulam Rasool, fought against all odds, negativism and narrow-mindedness.

He laid down his life for the cause of right approach and putting the society on a right track. “His performance was brilliant as it evoked great response from the audience,” Muneeza Khan, a young artiste from Islamabad, said.

The comedy play of National Council of Arts was so outstanding that the entire auditorium echoed with laughter. The role of every actor in ‘Mai Hoon Waris’, a play of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, was captivating.

Waqar Attal played rabab, which was a reflection of Pakhtun culture.

The Bahria University Islamabad play against the tradition of imposing will on children culminated in a girl committing suicide on the night when she was married to person against her will.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2018