Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Newly appointed Director General (DG) of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) Jamal Shah on Saturday said that highlighting the Pakistani culture at international level would be his top priority.

While briefing media persons after resuming the charge of new DG, Jamal Shah said that attempts would be made for the resolution of problems faced by the artist community of the country and expressed the hope that government would make a mega announcement while implementing our recommendations regarding welfare of artist community and promotion of art in the country.

He said that there is no conflict between or dispute between art and religion. Culture is the identification of any country or nation adding that we should proud of our centuries old culture instead of following others blindly. “Dancing girl of Moenjadharo is the ownership of Pakistan and it would be brought back to country” he added.

Announcing his future strategy, he said that talent hunt program, which is the country’s biggest program is being launched on the title of “Shakar” adding that special program would be organized to pay tribute and homage to prominent artists, singers, poets and writers every month.

He announced that two day All Pakistan Artists Convention would be held in near future in which artists concerned with every form of art will be invited. In this convention, proposals and suggestions would be taken from the participants regarding resolution of their problems and promotion of art. These proposals and suggestions would be submitted to PM. The artists would present Charter of Demand to PM for the promotion of Pakistani culture.

Responding to a question, Shah said that membership of PNCA is being opened adding that measures would be taken to bring the artists concerned with Ghandara Art in the national mainstream and they would be given opportunities to exhibit their hidden talents on the platform of PNCA. Similarly experts of truck art would be invited and their art work be introduced globally.

DG, PNCA further said that theatre festival is being held which would cause the promotion of theatre and the viewers would enjoy the good and positive entertainment. PNCA would be freed from all irrelevant people and intelligent, efficient and talented people be encouraged and promoted.

Replying to another question, he said that religion has no any conflict or dispute with art and it is the innovation of opportunists which is unacceptable for me. Islam teaches us the lesson of mediation and tolerance. Measures would be taken for the promotion of visual and performing arts in the council. Financial resources including fund raising would be enhanced with the collaboration of other departments. Festivals would be held occasionally for the promotion of visual and performing arts adding that measures would be taken for the revival of theater.

Jamal Shah said that art and educational workshops, dialogue on culture would be organized and documentaries on living legend would be prepared, besides this music and tradition dance festival would also be held.

He said that PNCA would trained the new artists while workshops, tableaus, Mime shows be organized for children adding that PNCA would hold youth festival every year object to promote national integrity.

Highlighting the future activities of PNCA, Jamal Shah said that four mega events would be held annually in which members of business community and art-loving people would be invited.

“All vacant posts in the PNCA would be filled soon while probe be conducted regarding the theft of centuries old masterpieces”, Shah concluded.