Daily Times

LACAS Mein Kuch Khaas is a non-profit organisation that works to cultivate and support arts and culture in Pakistan. It is one of the biggest non-government community and cultural centres in the country. Since 2010, Kuch Khaas has served as a participative community space in Islamabad and now in Lahore at the Lahore College of Arts & Sciences (LACAS), providing a platform for local artists and creative thinkers to build their skills, express their ideas and showcase their work.

The reason for this collaboration was the ethos of LACAS and Kuch Khaas – they were a natural fit. Kuch Khaas wanted to come to Lahore, and both the organisations gelled together because they share the same values and complement each other.

The institution aims to promote meaningful entertainment – what’s different about LACAS is that they want their students to be able to enjoy life and not just be buried in books.

This venture is the marriage of a very forward looking educational institution and an intellectual space which wants to provide a platform for people to express themselves artistically and culturally. At LACAS, they want to nurture all human aspects.

The launch event took place in April, and the aim was to provide the attendees with a glimpse of how the new venture hopes to add to the cultural and academic landscape of the city through the mediums of dance, music and performances.

If there’s a child who can sing well they will promote him/her by providing a platform where he/she will come face to face with big names such as Norri. At concerts, we don’t get to interact with them and on this platform – the students will be able to play alongside them. How often do we get to hear this? LACAS Mein Kuch Khaas will give them a stage that will surround the youngsters with positive energy.

Shayan Afzal Khan, lovingly called Poppy, a staunch civil rights activist and patron of the arts was the force behind this concept. “Poppy’s idea for Kuch Khaas began as a dream and was many years in the conceiving. She wanted to create a microcosm of the Pakistan,” said Michelle Tanya Butt of Kuch Khaas.

The collaboration between Kuch Khaas and LACAS saw Poppy’s dream of an inclusive, positive Pakistan coming closer to reality. “It’s not about posh people. It’s about creating a community with people who have a voice,” said representative management board LACAS Amna Omar. “This is going to be a life changing experience,” she added. “We believe that imagination is the determinant of human achievement. LACAS with LACAS Mein Kuch Khaas endeavours to change the paradigm of education with richer conception of creativity and intelligence.”

The second event was the screening of journalist and filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s documentary ‘A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness’, which took place on April 10. They also held a workshop on dance and movements on the melodies of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

Writer and musician Ali Sethi performed live at a sold out concert in Lahore at LACAS Mein Kuch Khaas on April 29. He opened the evening with the famous ghazal sung by Mehdi Hassan “Muhabbat Karnay Walay” and proceeded to perform songs and ghazals to an enthralled audience. Stand-up comedian and actor Danish Ali and Nighat Chaudhry were also present at the launch. Students and people from all walks of life were captivated by the performances. Folks were able to directly interact with the people they are inspired by. Danish Ali was swarmed by a huge crowd! This is great for their exposure too! The students of LACAS were ushering, it was a well-managed event, and people were highly impressed. The crowd turned out to be very diverse – everything one could hope for!

The most recent event Mehfil-e-Sama, happened on May 7, where Ghayoor Moiz Mustafa and brothers lit up the crowd.

The key goals are to raise social awareness and effect positive social change through the cultivation and promotion of the arts, culture and intellectual engagement for local artists and creative thinkers to build their skills to express their ideas and showcase their work.

You can now become a member – members will not only be informed about the upcoming events at LACAS Mein Kuch Khaas, but will also be given special discounts and other incentives for this noble – and exciting – merger of education and creativity.