The district of Mardan is rich in cultural, heritage and literary traditions and has so far produced a large number of noted artists, singers, painters and literary figures of high repute. Five cinema houses, Mardan Arts Council, Mardan Town Hall and Mardan Public Library till recently were a few places which greatly helped in grooming up the young talent besides maintaining the cultural and literary activities in the city. But, unfortunately, now the residents of the culturally rich city have no place to go to satisfy their urge for participating in art, cultural and literary activities due to sheer negligence of the authorities concerned and lack of interest of the so-called stakeholders.
To further boost the cultural and literary activities in the district of Mardan, late Lt-Gen (retired) Fazle Haq laid the foundations of the Town Hall, the Arts Council and a public library. The cultural and literary organisations used to hold various functions, stage shows, poetry recitals, seminars and workshops but during Gen Musharraf’s era the Town Hall was converted into a district nazimeen assembly hall and it also served for a short period as Mardan Museum. Locals complained that all these institutions established by a military ruler of the province were now in a dilapidated condition under the civil government.
Akbar Hoti advocate, the chairman of the ‘Culture Development Organisation’ and ‘Culture Club Mardan’ told Dawn: “Town Hall that can house 400 participants built in 1988 was a beautiful structure where there used to be different cultural, social and literary gatherings but after Musharraf introduced local government system it was closed down for such functions. The former district government carried out no maintenance work in the building and with the passage of time owing to sheer negligence of its custodians the structure stands in total shamble. Its AC plant, sound system, seating, electricity, water system and washrooms all give a deserted look.”
He said the authorities illegally charged Rs10,000 per function from people and that too after a long and sketchy procedure though it was free for the ANP workers. He alleged that common artists, poets and writers were not allowed to arrange any function in the Town Hall. “The condition of the public library is even worse as most rare books are missing from its shelves; it has not been updated according to the needs of the students and modern researchers. Its membership has decreased over the past years as it does not offer any reading environment. Only a small number of readers shows up,” Mr Hoti said.
There was a time when Mardan city was the hub of all kinds of cultural and literary activities, great artists, singers, music composers and poets used to groom up here. Four out of the five cinema theatres were razed to the ground; the only one cinema located in an army building is now being run by a private firm while the city’s artists, poets and writers hold their functions at private places as most cannot afford charges of the Town Hall and also insufficient facilities kept them at bay.
The president of Da Adabi Dostaanu Maraka, an active literary organisation, Mehar Andesh, told this reporter that most things in the hall were not in useable condition; its ceiling and stage carpet were rundown. “A few years ago poets and artists were not supposed to rent this government building, the position of the Arts Council is no different. Mardan has been reduced to a city of dead souls,” he lamented.
About a dozen literary and cultural organisations are working for the promotion of art and culture in and around Mardan city since very long. Most are engaged in different positive activities without official patronage. Prof Dr Mohammad Humayun Huma, a senior research scholar and noted playwright, said Mardan Pakhto Adabi Jirga had rendered great literary services in early 60s and 70s. “It was through several unanimous resolutions of this Jirga that Gen Fazle Haq responded to set up these institutions for the entertainment and enlightenment of the people of Mardan. He said Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hot, being a son of the soil, has done lots of developmental works for this city having glorious Buddhist past but “I think he should also take credit for announcing a huge package for reviving and restoring the vibrant literary and cultural tradition of his hometown.”
“It grieves me to know that the public library is not doing well and so is the plight of the Town Hall and the Arts Council. Great poets including Qamar Rahi, Azghar Lala, Andesh Shamsul Qamar, Pir Guahar, Sher Ali Bacha, Dr Israr, Abdur Rauf Zahid and eminent singers Bacha Zarin Jan, Qamaru Jan, Kishwar Sultan are just a few to name who belonged to Mardan and garnered widespread fame for their memorable contributions in their respective fields. The provincial government needs just to light the spark,” Mr Huma added.
Riaz Akhtar, a senior TV actor, is still optimistic about the situation. “I am not hopeless about it, we the artists have the potential to do it on our own but yes the government should also share its responsibility for getting things right.” Prof Dr Zubair Hasrat, the author of several books, added: “Authorities have another good option and that is to restore the old Mardan press club located on Shamsi Road which is in a good shape and can accommodate 300 participants for literary activities.”
Heads of the literary and cultural organisations in the city complained that they were being charged illegally while in the past they used to arrange various activities in the Town Hall and Arts Council without any rent. An official, who wanted to remain discreet, in the Town Municipal Officer (TMO) office told Dawn: “Town Hall, Arts Council and the public library are fully functional and open for poets, writers and artistes of the city without any discrimination.” He said Rs10,000 but only Rs5,000 are charged from NGOs, commercial and professional organisations. No fee is charged from local literary and cultural organisations, we even arrange food for the guests.”
It will be in the fitness of things if the government rises to the occasion and speed up its efforts to save the culturally rich city from losing the luster of its vibrant art, literature and culture.