The Cultural Troupe of the Walled City of Lahore Authority delivered a captivating performance at the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) on Thursday evening, marking the start of a four-day event. This occasion coincided with Karachi’s relief from a scorching heatwave due to the first summer rain, making it a memorable evening.
The event began with a welcoming address from Napa’s CEO Junaid Zubairi, followed by remarks from former senator and Napa board member Javed Jabbar, who conceptualized the program. He acknowledged the contributions of the federal and provincial governments in establishing Napa, providing high standards of education and development in fields like cinema and television to the people of Pakistan.
The audience was treated to show-reels highlighting the initiatives of the Walled City of Lahore Authority, followed by a speech from Kamran Lashari, praised by Jabbar for his leadership of the troupe.
Expressing his gratitude, Lashari shared his deep connection with Sindh, sparked during his civil service tenure in various districts like Umerkot and Tharparkar. He recounted his love for Sindh’s culture, which influenced his post-retirement projects.
The second part of the program featured dynamic performances introduced by Sabahat. The lineup included a traditional kathak dance by Zakarya and Jessica, followed by Jessica’s solo interpretation of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s ‘O Re Piya’ from the film “Aa Ja Nachle.” Renowned artist Raja Mughal impressed with a fiery performance and a Bharatanatyam piece.
The highlight of the evening was folk artist Fazal Jatt, accompanied by musicians, who enthralled the audience with his storytelling through songs like the tale of Sohni-Mahival and popular folk songs like ‘Challa’ and ‘Lok Boliyan.’ The performance concluded with a spirited dhamal by Saen Abbas, adding a vibrant finale to the event.
