Art collector Ally Adnan will soon be back in his native land to deliver his signature talks on culture, history, Sufism, and art. The well- known cultural commentator, journalist, public speaker, and writer is always a welcome guest as he comes bearing gifts of knowledge, learning and entertainment.
During his two-week visit, Adnan will conduct a total of 12 seminars in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi, on a wide variety of topics that include ghazal, qawwali, jewelry, kathak, classical music, and truck4 art. The hectic trip may not be everyone’s idea of a vacation but for Dallas-based Adnan, who does not accept any payment for his talks, it is the best way to find relaxation and happiness. “I love sharing knowledge of our culture, history and art with people in Pakistan,” he says with unbridled enthusiasm. “There is no greater pleasure than contributing to someone else’s learning and pleasure, even in a small way. The talks in Pakistan are always the highlight of my trips to Pakistan.”
Adnan is an expert in areas of classical music, dance, art, Sufism and qawwali. His writings on classical music form a valuable treatise on the theory, culture and practice of music in India and Pakistan. He speaks on the radio, television, schools and research symposia, all over the world, on a regular basis. Adnan is known for his interactive workshops which he has conducted at a large number of prestigious institutions and schools, including the Asia Society Hong Kong, New York University, the University of London, the University of Texas at Dallas, and the National College of Arts, Lahore. Ally writes for a large number of international publications and is a member of the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI). He sits on the board of a number of cultural institutions and organisations and heads the After Hours Group which is dedicated to promoting South Asian art in the United States.
Published in Daily Times, December 12th 2018.