Pakistan Link - Letter & Opinion

The Embassy is breaking free of its self-imposed restraints, which had for years resulted in repetitive ceremonies and lackluster receptions of familiar faces from the State Department chatting with Embassy families.

The eight-day event opened with the screening of the artistic movie, “Daira,” based on Mohsin Hamid’s bestseller, Moth Smoke. The movie, revealing the secretive life of the elite in Lahore, highlights the negative side of the rich and the famous. The screening of “Daira” was co-sponsored by the Pakistan-American Leadership Initiative (PALI), a group of enterprising young adults who work to promote professionalism amongst Pakistani Americans. Such initiatives as the screening of “Daira,” a controversial yet cultural film, are necessary for the appreciation of the arts and the culture of Pakistan. Milli naghmas and previously shown documentaries on Pakistan have interested neither locals nor foreigners.

The audience for “Daira,” a three-hour film, comprised of both Pakistanis as well as Americans. The Americans were very impressed by not only the story line, but also the technical finesse on display. After the viewing, the producer and lead actor, Shahzad Nawaz, elaborated on the making of the film as well as on the topic of “Impact of Contemporary Video Works on Pakistan’s Airwaves.” The viewing and the discussion tied in with the contemporary theme of the Pakistan Day celebrations.

On the second day, F.S. Aijazuddin enthralled another packed hall with a captivating slide display on “Pakistan: A Bridge between the Past and the Future.” Mr. Aijazuddin, an internationally renowned authority on the art history of the Asian Subcontinent, is also a gifted speaker - erudite and suave. The breathtaking slide presentation left the audience spellbound for an hour. It encapsulated key phases of Pakistan’s history as well as facets of the country’s architecture and culture. The presentation was followed by an animated and engaging question and answer session. Mr. Aijazuddin, who has also written on Pakistan’s foreign policy, was up to the challenge. Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi jovially told him at the end that “you were asked so many questions because you have done so remarkably well in so many fields.”

Throughout the eight days of the celebrations, visitors thronged the Embassy to watch a very rich exhibition of paintings, photographs, and apparel. Works of Mansoora Hassan, Tapu Javeri, Abrar Ahmed, Naheed Raza, Riaz Rafi, Mansoor Aye, and Hussain Tariq were on display. Mansoora Hassan’s works are inspired by classical as well as modern poets. Tapu Javeri is one of Pakistan’s premier photographers, both in terms of fashion and art photography. Abrar Ahmed is known for his unique interpretation of Gandhara art and Mughal miniature paintings, Naheed Raza is recognized for her new artistic interpretation of the female form in her “Celebration of Womanhood” wood panels. Riaz Rafi’s semi-abstract style, Mansoor Aye’s cubism, and Hussain Tariq’s realistic paintings of both architecture and human figures, were all appreciated at the art exhibition throughout the celebrations.

Not only was Pakistani art on display, but also Pakistani couture from Sana and Safinaz as well as Umar Sayeed. In addition, videos from Junoon, Najam Shiraz, and Fuzion were on display at the exhibition.

The main reception on Tuesday, March 23, 2004 was graced by American Deputy Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, who was effusive in his praise for Pakistan and its support against Al-Qaeda. He expressed his condolence for the “soldiers who have lost their lives” in the fight against terrorism. On a personal note, he said he had lot of respect for Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz who, as a top finance manager, “used to lecture at Johns Hopkins.” He referred many times to President Musharraf’s “bravery and boldness” as well.

The turnout at the reception was unprecedented. . All major Departments of the United States government were represented there by senior officials. Never has the Embassy had such a large audience at such an event.

The last function during the celebrations was an impressive photographic exhibition by Dr. Abrar Pirzada. Although Embassy officials feared that ‘visitor fatigue’ would set in after a week of cultural events, everybody was pleasantly surprised to see that the exhibition still attracted a large audience. The designs were floral and calligraphic, and the historical landmarks on display included the Wazir Khan Mosque and the Tomb of Jehangir. While viewing the 83 photographs, one could not help vicariously traveling to Lahore during the Mughal era. Dr. Pirzada, traveling to Washington, DC all the way from Lahore to present his exhibition, showed no lack of his enthusiasm and devotion. Such commitment and dedication, also demonstrated by the Embassy’s debonair Deputy Chief of Mission, Mohammed Sadiq, and Ambassador Qazi, were instrumental in making these cultural occasions a success.

The 2004 Pakistan Day celebrations at the Embassy were an overall accomplishment in comparison to the defunct events held in the past. All shades of Pakistani culture-art music, architecture, and history-were tastefully displayed for both the Pakistani audience and the American public. Hundreds attended the viewings and lectures throughout the eight-day occasion, highlighting the value and attraction of Pakistani culture.