PESHAWAR: A group of artists and performers captivated Peshawarites on the second day of Eidul Azha through a musical variety show at Nishtar Hall here.

The jam-packed Nishtar Hall witnessed the musical variety show after more than a decade and the audience was left with words of appreciation and accolades for the wonderful show. A large number of youngsters, families and art lovers attended the event.

Artists presented short skits on several issues including drug abuse, corruption and also peace and national unity in a light mood and educated the audience through their performance.

The show was put up in a measured line-up sequence and drew instant clap in appreciation for every skit presented in a crispy and laughable manner. The skits of Said Rahman Sheeno rolled the audience with laughter and he continued receiving the occasional standing ovation.

Veteran comedian Said Rahman Sheeno stole the show by his peculiar style of expressions and artistic jugglery of acts.

The Pakhtunkhwa Arts Council (PAC), a cultural organisation, arranged the show in collaboration with KP culture directorate, where noted artists including Said Rahman Sheeno, Sajjad Khalil, Sadia, Jahangir Jani, Zardad Bulbul, Sardar Marikhi, Rahmat Elahi Khattak, and popular folk singers Khalid Malak, Wisal Khayal, Salma Naz, Dilruba, Alisha, Kiran Naz, Papu Chahat, Kiran Ali, Gulsanga, and Maria Khan performed and drew a thundering applause from the participants.

Senior stand-up comedian, Said Rahman Sheeno, while sharing his views said that unfortunately, Peshawarites remained deprived of healthy entertainment for over a decade in the lone theatre of the city owing to numerous factors.

He said artists suffered great hardships but were still in position to provide and produce better entertainment for the audience.

“Don’t take our smiles for granted. We are living in penury, but still there is a long way to success and KP artist community has the patience to bear up,” he remarked.

Pashto film and stage artist, Jahangir Jani said that even after a decade, at last, the Peshawarites got an opportunity to gather here for a variety musical show where a galaxy of artists and folk singers performed.

He said credit went to the KP government for opening Nishtar Hall for live performance so that the participants could enjoy Eid holidays and Independence Day celebrations through a show full of smiles.

Mehnaz Afridi, a participant, said that she along with her family members enjoyed the musical variety show adding it was both an entertainment and moral lesson.

She said that live performance impressed the participants due to quality presentation. She said the skits had great lessons for the masses.

Zardad Bulbul, chief of PAC, said that his team not only performed well but also left a good impression that artists and folk singers had the talent to highlight pressing social issues in a pleasurable manner.

He said that if the KP government cooperated, he and his colleagues would continue arranging such events.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2019