Kalash Dance and 60 years Celebration of Pakistan in London

Jishn-e Azadi Mubarak

It was a beautiful day  on which a Parade and Musical and Cultural Show was arranged by High Commission For Pakistan London as a part of Celebrations of 60 years of Pakistan. This event was partnered by GEO TV with High Commission For Pakistan. It was telecasted live through out the world. Infact it was a big show, it was in the heart of London at Trafalgar Square. The program started nicely and continued with zeal and zest till the end. All the big stars and celebrities were available from Pakistan. Her highness Dr. Maliha Lodhi was the one to lead such a big event. The whole area of Trafalger Square was fully packed, where some more than 24 thousands Pakistanis joined to share their love and respect for Pakistan. The aim was to represent Pakistanis as a moderate nation, having great values and respect for mankind and for our country.

The Show contained different Segments like Cultural Songs, Fashion Show, Punjabi Bhangra and Pop Music. Schedule of the show had already been announced, Pakistani Communities at different area of UK were informed. Brochures, flags etc were distributed well before start of the program. The show included folk dance and music from Balochistan, Sindhi and Panjabi as well as Kalash Dance. I was eager to see Kalash Dance, as being Chitrali I should have seen it before in Bamburet. Unfortunately, the chores of life restricted me in doing so but I still have the respect and passion to be at again in Bamburait to see Kalash Dance. I visited Bamburait in my early childhood, and there is a blurred picture in my mind of Bamburait. Anyhow, it was the adoration in me to meet the Chitrali people (The Kalash, who actually came to participate in the Show) which drew me nearer the artists of the show. It was also an advantage to me that I was also participation from one of the organizer's panel of the Show. So when the artists arrived before the start of show, I and my cousin Ali, went to meet the artists, while shaking hands I welcomed a man with Phakol (Chitrali Cap) in Khowar. He looked Panjabi and I noticed his deeply reddened Teeth and Mouth, which were sparkling in the sunlight like fresh blood, due to excessive eating of Pan. He with a quick glance responded saying "Kalash Kalash" avoided me and disappeared in crowd.
Basically he was Punjabi and was brought to London to show the Cultural Dance of the people whom he had hardly heard of. Even in the show the tune of Kalash music and the dance were so different from what actually is. It was really rediculous, and it was an exploitation of the deserving people. If I am not wrong many people from Chitral would have watched it on TV as GEO TV was casting it Live through out the world.

What ever we claim like Moderate, Enlightened, Peaceful and Caring etc etc we can not attain the reputation untill and unless we are indifferent. Unless and untill there is exploitation and unless and until the deserving are the sufferers. This is such a minute example of our life but looking it from a different angle can show us the picture of our society and system. Arranging such an event in a City like London (2nd most expensive city of the world ) was done quite cheerfully but arranging 4 or 5 Kalash people to present their own Culture in a Show was really a difficult job?
As a nation where we are standing right now and where we got to go is a question mark.

Can We Really make Pakistan a Moderate and Enlightened Nation by arranging such events? There are endless small questions in every Pakistanis minds which yet to be answered.

With Best Regard

Sanaullah Khan

London.