Posts Tagged Art
[Digital Art] “My Identity”
Karim Ahmed Khan, contributor, is a self taught digital artist. He would formally start learning art at NCA Lahore in February 2010. He belongs to Ghulkin, Gojal.
21 comments October 25, 2009
[Poetry] The sacred rock of Hunza
by Noor
though just some random lines are these
the life, the scene, the heat and voice
have nestled-dead in these lifeless lines
the leaping ibex can not move
its legs are frozen in the lines
inside the rock
the swaying top of what is a tree
bent by a wind we can not feel
has also frozen in the rock
the man who drew these lines is dead
he might, by now, have forgotten
that once while he was off to China
at a beautiful place, along the path
beneath the castle of a Mir
he had inscribed some random lines
He may not know, may never know
those lines are now “sacred ” for some
And if, by chance, he comes to know
he would descend,
right from somewhere
holding a metal in his hands
first he would laugh
and laugh again
laughing at the holiness lust
of men,
the crown of creation
and then he would
draw some more skewed lines
another set of images
forming another “sacred rock”
Source: http://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=7596
1 comment October 25, 2009
New Wakhi audio album, “Yod”, inaugrated
By Ali Ahmad
Gilgit, October 22: A new Wakhi musical audio album, titled “Yod” was released for sale today. Islamuddin of PPP and Salamat Jan of PML (N) participated in the release event, along with over three hundred other people.
The songs have been composed by Nazar karim Tanha, belonging to Chipursan valley. Saif Rumi and Ibadat Ali are the singers. The album is dedicated to Alam Jan, a social activist who passed away recently.
9 comments October 22, 2009
International Pamir Festival 2009 being held in Wakhan
by Ali Aman Gojali (Event organizer)
Wakhan, September 21: A two days long International Pamir Festival 2009, will be celebrated on 27th and 28th September, at the roof of the world, Sarhad-e- Buroghil, Wakhan in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan. Artists from Tajikistan, Pakistan and China have been invited to attend the festival, along with the local artists, to perform in the festival.
Traditional Music, dances, songs, cultural dresses and traditional games will be held during the festival, providing a rare opportunity for Wakhi speaking artists from the four countries. This is for the very first time that artists from all four countries containing Wakhi speaking population will participate in a single event. It would prove to be an opportunity of reflection, as well as an impetus for developing strategic bonds in the field of art and culture.
The festival will see song performances in categories like Wathan Bayed, Flak, Dough Bayed and Raboyee Bayed, performances of musical instruments like Rabab, Sitar, Tambura, Ghaz`hek and Duff and dances in the Pamir, Sham Sheer Bozee, Diwan Raqce and Anthrak styles.
Traditional games like Buzkashee, Polo, Pohiga /hour races, Qasting /Polwani , Ciklek /Tuksuree and Suthoy too, will also be played during the festival.
Both festival nights will be “Sufi Nights”, with performances in Qaceda, Munajuth and Souse Bayed.
This year’s Pamir Festival is being organized by the Ministry of Information and Culture, Afghanistan in collaboration with Wakhan Tourism and Cultural Promotion, AKF – Afghanistan.
13 comments September 22, 2009
[Artist Profile] Sohail Rumi: A hidden jewel
Sohail Rumi is a young artist, lead singer in this video. He belongs to Sost, Gojal.
17 comments September 18, 2009
Wakhi radio program’s duration being increased to 60 minutes
by Ali Ahmed
Gilgit, September 17: A delegation of Wakhi speaking people led by President Wakhi Tajik Cultural Association (WTCA) held an important meeting with Mr Murtaza Solangi, Director General of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), at Serena Hotel.
Disucssing the Wakhi Program, “Sado-e-Bom-e-Dunyo”, the delegation presented a three-points proposal to the DG for improving its reach and impact. It was suggested that duration of the program be increased to one hour, as the allocated thrity minutes are not enough to leave any substantial impact on development of the Wakhi language and community. Suggestion for hiring a Wakhi speaking professional producer, exclusively for Sado-e-Bom-e-Dunyo”, was also presented during the disucssion. Third suggestion was regarding initation of external programs in Wakhi language.
The director was told that despite of its decade long presence on air waves, the Wakhi language program needs a lot of improvement in terms of content quality and innovation. The positive inital role played by the radio program, regarding preservation and promotion of the Wakhi identity was also appreciated by the delegation.
Mr Solangi not only appreciated and agreed with these suggestion, he also promised that an FM radio station would be established in Gojal, Hunza. He further said that the program timings will be increased by thirty minutes, but the time slot will be 9:30-10:30, in the night. He also assured the team that he will visit Gojal valley after Eid holidays. He further advised the dekegation to recommend some strong persons with appropriate education and skills for the position of producer.
Mr Arshad Khan, MD Pakistan Television, was also present during the meeting and he appreciated the efforts of WTCA for its cultural activities, mainly arranging festivals. He also mentioned that PTV is starting a bureau office in Gilgit-Baltistan on the instruction of Governor.
The Wakhi delegation comprised of Abuzar Ali, Mohammad Aslam, Ahmed Raiz Ahmed, . Sultan Ahmed, Nawab Ali Khan, Asghar Khan, Mohammad Ali, Rehan Shah, Saif Udin Saif, Nisar Karim, Ali Ahmed and Yaqub Ali.
12 comments September 17, 2009
Glocal Identity
Local and foreign cultures are blending more and more in our society. There is beauty and charm in the blending of symbols. What is needed is making sure that the local elements are not ignored or looked down at. In this photograph Tayabullah Baig (Karimabad, Hunza) can be seen donning a traditional local cap, while dressed in “Western” dress.
[Photo by Naveed Ullah Baig]
4 comments September 11, 2009
Lok Virsa documents Yarkhun, Boroghil valleys
ISLAMABAD: Lok Virsa has undertaken documentary on life, culture and folklore of Wakhi people living in the Pamir mountains on Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikstan and China borders.
A three-member team of National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage comprising a video producer, craft collector and cameraman, undertook a field research to Chitral and upper border areas for documentation of Boroghil valley.
The Boroghil valley is nearly inaccessible in the extreme northern border of Pakistan. It is located in the Pamir mountain ranges, with Wakhan Corridor in the west and Gojal in upper Hunza on the east China to the east. The Wakhan corridor is sparsely populated with a population estimated around 11,000.
More at SOURCE
1 comment September 10, 2009
Page on poetry added to Pamir Times
Creative expression of thoughts is an art and it has profound effect on different aspects of individual and social life.
The land of Gilgit – Baltistan is fertile in terms of creativity. Express yourself, if you have it in you.
This is the poetry corner.
Email your poetry, in a commonly understood language, to pamir.times@gmail.com
1 comment August 28, 2009
[AmiNama] Women of my valley
AmiNama is a new term that cobimes “Amina” and “Nama” (letter in Persian/Urdu). It means “Letter from Amina”. Aminama will be written by Amina Khan, currently based in USA. This segment is a symbol of Pamir Times’ support for equality of opportunity and expression. Editor_.
———————————————————————————————-
She rises with sun
Giving light to the earth
And sleeps with stars
Ever since your birth
She weeps when you ail
She laughs when you sing
She is always full of love,
Be it autumn or spring
She lies to the world,
After you beat her,
“He is very kind and gentle”
She tells your neighbor
She hides her pain
But eyes can not lie
She lies to the world
But tears don’t lie
She lives for you,
And she dies for you
And when you find someone else
She leaves for you!!
She leaves your house
Which she built with her blood
And you treat her, as if
She is made of mud!!
Very silent and simple
She is lady of my valley
My heroes and my strength
All women of my valley
13 comments August 19, 2009
Art & Craft Exhibition 2009 held in Gilgit city
by Asghar Khan
Tourism Department Northern Areas held an Art & Craft Exhibition 2009 at City Park Gilgit on the Independence Day of Pakistan. Maj. Gen. Muzamil Hussain, Commander Force Command, FCNA, Northern Areas was the chief Guest. Along with Chief guest, Chief Secretary Northern Areas, Govt. officials, Members of NALA and notable of Northern Areas participated in the exhibition.
Ribbon cutting ceremony was performed by the chief guest. The exhibition was opened for general public, from 4 pm to 7 pm. The event was exclusively for ladies. Participating in the exhibitino were the Planning and Development Department, Women Development Project, FOCUS Humanitarian Assistant, Gilgit Serena Hotels, AKCSP, BEDAR, Rupani Foundation, Northern Areas Gems, Mineral Association (NAGMA), SCO, WARID, Telenor, Ufone and artisan form Ghizer, Astore, Khaplu, Ganche, and Chilas.
Mr. Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad, Chief Secretary, Northern Areas announced prizes for the best stall, won by FOCUS Humanitarian Assistant. The Chief Secretary presented Rs. 20,000/ to FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance Pakistan, while an artist from Khapulu received Rs. 15,000/, second prize, and an artisan form Ghanche received Rs. 10,000/- third prize.
Add comment August 18, 2009
[Poetry] The girl is in love
by Amina Khan
Today, I am making a confession
I know it is forbidden
But I am deep in love
I can’t hide my feelings,
For the beauty, I can’t see
For the voice, which I can’t hear
For the fragrance I can’t smell
Still I am in love
With the tall tall mountain
With the deep deep river
With the beautiful glaciers
Oh yes, I am in love
With the simple people of my valley
With traditions of my people
With the advice of our elders
With obeying of our youngster
With strength of our women
Yes I am in love
With the tea in the Thermos
Putook in the oven
Potato in every dish
With Molida and, also, Baath
Chumos and Quruth
Yes, I am in love
How can I hide these feelings?
When I am far away from the mountains
Trapped between these towering buildings
And want to share my feelings
Grandma don’t be ashamed
Your granddaughter is in love
Please don’t get annoyed
And let me share my feeling s
To my people and my homeland
It is my submlime love
47 comments August 13, 2009
[Opinion]Understanding the “Eagle’s dance”
by Asghar Khan
Tajiks live scattered around Central Asia, in South China, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and parts of India. Tajiks live in plains as well as highlands. In China majority of Tajik people inhabit in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous Country in Kashgar area and Zepu, Shache, Yecheng, Pishan and Aktao Counties in the south Xinjiang with a population of over 40,000 Ismaili Muslim. They are highland Tajik and the only original white people speaking Indo-European family of language.
The Pamir plateaus, where Tajik people live, are converging place of the Tianshan, Kunlun, Gangdisi, Xindukushi and Himalayan Mountains. Tajik proverb says “a person’s navel is on his belly while the world’s navel is on the Pamirs”. The flying eagle is their totem and receives great respect, due to its symbolic importance.
Tajiks believe that the eagle is the king of animals and represents image of honesty, kindness, bravery, strength, speed and justice. Therefore, heroes, sages, and outstanding young Tajiks are respectedly called “eagles”, by the Tajiks. Eagle flute and eagle dance evidently show their deep respect for the eagle.
There are more than a dozen legends concerning eagles, and four concerning the eagle lute and eagle dance. Although the details of legends are a bit different but they all tell a similar story: a kind Tajik bullied by the evil.
An eagle helped the poor Tajik to resist but he died ultimately in order to 
protect the man. The eagle asked the kind person to make a lute with his wing bone. When the lute is playing, the world will be full of happiness. Then the kind person played the lute and girls began to imitate the eagle’s actions with the music.
Gradually, the Tajik arts — eagle flute and eagle dance came into being. Because Tajik dance movements imitate those of eagles, generally the traditional Tajik dance is named “Eagle Dance”, which derives from their worship to their gods and ancestor (including totem). The dance actions are to imitate the eagle’s soaring, diving, wheeling and joyful flying.
A seven-eighth rhythm arrangement is used for both music and the dance. At first, one dancer goes onto the field and dances. Then he invites another. They begin to move forward slowly with their arms spread, like two eagles hovering. When the music turns quick, they chase and play with each other. Once they get close, they spin away immediately. They rise or squat suddenly, or jump while spinning. The women’s dances are much softer, but also imitate eagles.
It originates from the folk traditions and there are no fixed dance steps, so every one can dance without following specific steps. At the festivals, wedding ceremonies, and gatherings, two musicians alternatively play eagle flutes and two women beat hand-drum (small drum similar to the tambourine), the old and the young join in the spectacular dance.
5 comments July 20, 2009
[Pictory] Cultural customs and values
Topic and photographs by Shujaat Ali (Shimshal)
We have observed a lot of changes in our culture during the past few years. Some of the customs that have changed include respect to the elders by kissing hand, taking care of younger ones , showing sincerity with fellow human being, greeting people in a welcomign manner – by bowing or putting hands at chest, helping needy through collective division of labor, hospitality – by inviting peopel inside your home, etc.
In my opinion our customs are symbolic representations of our cultural values. Let us discuss what we have in our culture that others have not and whether we need to make the choice between customs and values?
1 comment June 29, 2009
