Globally, art serves as a means to initiate and further social dialogue and expression, reflecting the concerns and frustrations plaguing the collective consciousness. Pakistan is no different, possessing one of the richest cultural histories in the world. Lahore, in particular, has been deemed the country’s “cultural capital,” with the Lahore Arts Council—and its Alhamra complex—highlighting the myriad of influences evoked by artists in conveying their message to the general public.
The history of art in Pakistan begins pre-Partition, from the artifacts of the Indus Civilization to the Buddhist motifs of the Gandharas and the eventual architectural advancements of the Mughal Empire. Colonial rule saw an integration of traditional practices with western ideas, yielding a new wave of provocative and thought-provoking pieces of art, poetry and prose that continued post-Partition. Whether during times of conflict or peace, Pakistani artists shone a light on society’s shortcomings while also setting the parameters for seeking remedies to the same. While the artists who contributed to Pakistan’s cultural landscape are too numerous to name, some of the luminaries who inspired the people of Lahore, and were in turn inspired by them, include poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz and artist Sadequain. Both these artists’ works depicted issues of social justice and human rights, with their involvement boosting the Lahore Arts Council as an oasis of culture in Pakistan.
Since its inauguration in 1992, the Alhamra Arts Council has served as a hub for cultural activities in Pakistan, with its executive director, Sarah Rashid, stressing this is central to its functioning. “One of the most important things is connecting the youth to the institution,” she recently told Standard, pointing to theatrical productions as particularly effective tools to engage with younger audiences. “When a young person, a girl or a boy, is on stage enacting a role, there is no greater practice of empathy,” she said. “It may look unimportant [to the outside observer] but it is huge in evoking such emotion from the youth, and I truly believe we need that today,” she added.
Key to encouraging cultural exchanges, she explained, was providing a platform that facilitated free exchange of ideas without fear of repercussions. “Once the youth is engaged and recognizes Alhamra as a platform [for discussion], they feel free to talk about how they feel and discuss the direction in which they’d like the country to go,” she said. “We allow them to speak and perform on subjects without any political undertones, so they can speak their mind freely without fear of being held accountable for it,” she said, noting Alhamra’s current aim was to encourage youth to discuss the concept of independence with a historical context to maintain an understanding of culture and tradition. Alhamra strives to achieve this, she said, by engaging with the local community, particularly private and public sector schools. “We want Alhamra to be a platform for people from all backgrounds where they aren’t effected by other considerations,” explained Rashid, maintaining that socioeconomic disparities cannot prove barriers to expressions of art.
Acknowledging some resistance from those who believe art is a tool of privilege that cannot feed the hungry, particularly in a country where 40% of the population lives in poverty, she said they must be convinced of the positive role played by art in dissuading negative habits. “I would like parents to realize that giving this vent to their children is most important to keep them from unhealthy pursuits,” she said. “Parents need to understand that the healthy upbringing of children is key if we want the country to develop. Arts and culture, signified by authorities all over the country, is something that is healthy, transparent and encapsulates beauty. When encouraging children to engage with art, you encourage them to express themselves beautifully. I don’t know of any other way to define grace, so you’re teaching your children grace and a means to express themselves in a beautiful way, and that is art,” she emphasized.
Composer Stephen Sondheim once opined “art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos.” For a country like Pakistan, which far-too-often teeters on the edge of the precipice, there is no better means than artistic expression for the public to voice its discontent and seek positive change. This, naturally, cannot come at the cost of economic advancement, but if the country is to truly progress and achieve its place in the comity of nations, it must not allow art to fall to the wayside. Alhamra is playing its role in facilitating such goals, but it cannot do so alone. It is only through encouraging citizens, particularly it youth, to explore and promote our national culture can Pakistan truly hope to evolve a cohesive counter to the many ills that plague our nation, especially for issues that may prove difficult to discuss without the accompaniment of artistic expression.