The National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) on Sunday celebrated the first anniversary of the great victory of the nation against their enemy in Marka-e-Haq (Battle of Truth) by presenting a selection of national songs in its programme Naghma-e-Watan at its Zia Mohyeddin Theatre.
The programme was attended by Federal Minister for National Heritage & Culture Division Aurangzeb Khan Khichi among a houseful of guests. Napa Chairman Syed Jawaid Iqbal said in his welcome address that the gathering was not just a musical programme but an effective expression of national pride, national unity and a tribute to the great sacrifices that made Pakistan’s defence invincible.
Khichi said in his speech that ever since that victory last year, Pakistan had proved that it is not a war-mongering country. In fact, he pointed out, its image as a messenger of peace has outshone any propaganda about it by the enemy.
The musical programme started with Kainat John presenting ‘Iss Parcham Kay Saye Talay’, followed by Sarfaraz Ali with ‘Chand Meri Zameen’, then Jawwad Qureshi with ‘Aye Watan Pyaray Watan’, and Leeza Fatima concluding the first segment with ‘Sohni Dharti’.
The second segment had Zeeshan Zafar singing ‘Apni Jaan Nazar Karoon’, Premesh Kumar ‘Yeh Watan Tumhara Hai’, Azhar Zaidi ‘Aye Watan Kay Sajeelay Jawano’, and Natasha Griffin ‘Aye Rah-e-Haq Kay Shaheedo’.
The final segment began with Aiman Zara presenting ‘Hum Zinda Qaum Hain’, followed by Abdul Sami with ‘Itnay Baray Jeewan Sagar Mein’, and Jawwad Qureshi concluding with ‘Jaag Raha Hai Sara Watan’. Mehboob Ashraf’s live orchestra accompanied the singing. NAPA CEO Jarri Masood presented the vote of thanks to the guests.
Festival kicks off
The National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) continued its Repertory Festival with the Urdu adaptation of Sharr White’s play ‘Annapurna’ at its Zia Mohyeddin Theatre on Saturday. The play was also staged on Friday as the opening act of the festival.
The play has been adapted by Noreen Gulwani, who also played the female lead. Directed by Moazim Malik, it is an intimate two-character drama about love, regret, and reconciliation. The play follows Ayra (played by Gulwani) who after 20 years unexpectedly visits her estranged husband Amir (Husnain Falak). She finds him living alone in a small trailer, physically ill and struggling with the consequences of years of addiction and isolation.
A sizeable house praised the performance. The festival continues on Monday with another play, Mulaqat, which is an adaptation of Jean Pierre Martinez’s work.
