Latest news with #JamalShah
Arab News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Pakistani artists unite in powerful show of solidarity to raise funds for Gaza
ISLAMABAD: Around 150 Pakistani artists gathered in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad to participate in a eight-day humanitarian art camp to raise funds for people affected by Israeli military offensive in Gaza, a the head of Silk Road Culture Center said this week, in a remarkable show of solidarity with the Palestinians. The camp, 'Art for Life – Art for Gaza,' brought together musicians, writers and performers from across Pakistan who presented series of multidisciplinary performances and visual art displays to raise funds for the war-torn people of Gaza. The event began on April 30 and ended on May 7, amid renewed Israeli strikes on the Palestinian enclave. Israeli's 18-month war against Hamas has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, Palestinian officials say. 'The idea [behind the event] was to empathize with the suffering people of Palestine,' Jamal Shah, chairman of the Silk Road Culture Center, told Arab News on Wednesday, without sharing details of the total funds raised. A wide range of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, calligraphy, origami and mixed media, were created, exhibited and sold at the event, according to Shah. Many of the pieces are still up for auction, with proceeds pledged to the Palestinian embassy in Pakistan to support humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza. The participating artists engaged in dialogue around the Palestinian cause and expressed their reflections through paintings, sculptures, theater, music and film at the event. 'My depiction shows their flag and different elements. The golden color represents pain and the Al-Aqsa Mosque,' said Atif Ayub, a contemprary artist from Lahore, describing his installation that combined symbolic imagery focusing on the year 1988 that marked the establishment of the State of Palestine. 'It's all about shared humanity and emotion.' The final two days featured live painting sessions, with artists painting silhouettes of performers in real time. These sessions were accompanied by musical performances, skits and poetry readings. Pakistani singers and musicians such as Arieb, 360 Degrees, Maddy and Sam performed original pieces dedicated to Palestine, contributing to the emotional tone of the event. Zeeshan Usman Khattak, a filmmaker from the northwestern city of Peshawar, said their collaborative work was a visual metaphor for the crisis in Gaza. 'There was a live performance behind the canvas and we were capturing the shadows,' Khattak said of their live performance. 'Those movements reflected the dance of life and death, the aggression, the loss.' Wednesday's closing ceremony was attended by ambassadors from Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Yemen, Qatar, Syria and Romania, along with cultural attachés from China and Iran as well as representatives from the French film community. Summera Jawad, a professor who teaches fine arts at Lahore's Punjab University, highlighted the community-driven nature of the initiative. 'Artists are not just performing or creating here, they're also contributing to the exhibition and donating their artworks for the cause,' she said.
Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Artists come together to honour Gazan lives
The eight-day "Art for Life – Art for Gaza" Artist's Camp, which commenced on April 30, 2025, at the SilkRoad Culture Centre, concluded on May 7 with a moving and artistic display of multidisciplinary power performances featuring heartfelt tributes to the people of Gaza and a grand finale charity art auction attended by local and international dignitaries. The closing evening was attended by ambassadors from Palestine, Iraq, Iran, Morocco, Sudan, Jordan, Lebanon, Yemen, Qatar, and Romania, as well as cultural attachés from Iran and China. Representatives from French cultural organisations and cinema were also present. The guests viewed and purchased artworks displayed across the SilkRoad Culture Centre, with several artworks reserved in advance by art collectors and enthusiasts. Highlights of the concluding sessions included Live shadow painting on illuminated canvases by renowned painters, including veteran artist Jamal Shah, who participated spontaneously. These performances accompanied live music and dance, resulting in a unique fusion of visual and performing arts. Individual artworks created during the camp by participating painters, calligraphers, origami artists and sculptors were displayed and auctioned, with proceeds pledged to the Embassy of Palestine in Pakistan for the benefit of victims in Gaza. Before this, a special session hosted by social reformer and author Meera'n Malik and Zeeshan Usman Khattak, an emerging film maker and an established RJ, showcased Pak-Palestine musical fusions, live skits, and performances by both emerging and established artists. Participants included schoolchildren from City School, students from NUML Music Society and musicians such as Arieb Azhar and the band 360 Degrees. Notable performances included an elegiac dance by Atif Khan and Group, and a powerful Sufi-rock and interlinear 'Tehtul Lafz' recitation by Maddy and Sam. The SRCC Drum Circle captivated the audience with a drum performance on a traditional Palestinian song. The event concluded on a sombre note as news of cross-border aggression from India, beginning after midnight on May 6, cast a shadow over the evening. Despite the rising tension, the artists and attendees remained unified in their call for peace and justice in Pakistan, Palestine and the region.
Arab News
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Karachi street performer juggles hardships, clowns around from iftar to suhoor
KARACHI: As dusk falls over Burns Road, Karachi's busy food street, a man in a bright blue curly wig and neon-yellow jacket steps into the crowd, a red clown nose perched on his face. His hands, covered in red gloves, juggle colorful balls, drawing the attention of people, particularly children who watch with excitement. This is Jamal Shah, a street performer whose journey from stage artist to roadside entertainer is a tale of resilience and a deep desire to connect with people through his passion for performance. Before the coronavirus pandemic shuttered theaters and circuses, Shah was a seasoned performer, traveling across Pakistan's four provinces and receiving praise for his magic shows and juggling acts. Since 1998, the 41-year-old has led a life of artistic fulfillment. But the pandemic changed everything, leaving him and countless others jobless. 'Before COVID, I used to perform in theaters, circuses, variety shows, magic shows, and festivals,' Shah said, his voice cutting through the noise. 'I am not just a street artist. I am a trained theater and stage performer.' Yet, circumstances forced him out of familiar settings, leaving him to perform on the streets, where passersby are often too absorbed to notice his skillful acts. 'I turned to street performances after [theater] shows were shut down,' he said. 'Without these shows, I had to find a way to survive with a wife and five children. I live on rent, so I had no choice but to perform on the streets.' Every evening, Shah leaves Quaidabad on his motorcycle, making a 25-kilometer journey to the Burns Road in heart of Saddar, which has been his lifeline for the past five years. During Ramadan, he performs from Iftar to Suhoor, his efforts barely enough to cover his family's basic needs. 'My family is struggling,' Shah told Arab News. 'One of my children is unwell, I am also unwell, and so is my wife. But I decided that I would not beg from anyone. Instead, I would use my skills here.' But the street is a harsh stage where sometimes speeding motorcyclists crash into him and passersby occasionally hurl mocking remarks. Despite the hardships, Shah takes comfort in the smiles he brings to children's faces. 'When I see children smiling, my personal sorrows fade away,' he said. 'I never bring my grief to the public. As for my tears, I know when they well up and when I hide them. When I am performing, the character I embody requires me to conceal my tears, which I do, while striving to keep people happy and smiling.' His children, who once went to school, now attend a seminary for religious education. Shah said his greatest desire was to provide them with a brighter future. 'I want to support my family and children so that my children can also go to school and study, educate themselves, play a positive role in society and become its valuable members,' he said. 'If my children get an education, they will develop a good character.' Shah's dedication to his craft is unwavering, making him pledge to perform until there is strength in his body. 'One must fight for survival,' he added. 'Whether it's scorching heat or cold, I am here.' Shah said performers like him felt duty-bound to spread joy among people. 'Every person deprived of happiness should find joy in watching us, and their sadness should be transformed into smiles and happiness,' he said, his eyes reflecting the flickering lights of the food street and hope for a better future.
Express Tribune
25-02-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Photo exhibit honours Palestinian struggle
Ambassador of Palestine to Pakistan, Dr Zuhair Mohammad Hamadallah Zaid stands next to other visitors at the inauguration of the "Palestine was and Will Remain" photography exhibition held at the PNCA in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people. PHOTO: EXPRESS The Embassy of Palestine, Pakistan, in collaboration with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) successfully hosted an impactful photo exhibition titled "Palestine was and Will Remain" on February 25. The exhibition showcases a compelling collection of photographs capturing the resilience, heritage and enduring spirit of the Palestinian people. The event was inaugurated by Hunerkada College of Visual and Performing Arts, President and Chief Curator, Jamal Shah. In attendance were ambassadors from numerous countries including Jordan, Portugal, Libya, Oman, Indonesia and many others. Muhammad Ayoub Jamali and other distinguished guests were also present to witness the occasion. The Ambassador of Palestine to Pakistan, Dr Zuhair Mohammad Hamadallah Zaid, delivered a moving welcome address, in which he stated, "This exhibition is more than just a collection of photographs; it is proof of the existence, resilience and spirit of the people of Palestine. It is about our history, our sufferings and our struggle that has continued for generations." He emphasised that the exhibition sheds light on the ongoing Nakba, describing it as "a catastrophe that did not end in 1948 but continues to this very day." He highlighted the exhibition's purpose in documenting the realities faced by Palestinians, particularly in Gaza and the West Bank. "Through this exhibition, we seek to ensure that the world does not look away, that the voices of the oppressed are heard, and that the evidence of these atrocities is observed," Dr Zaid remarked. The exhibition aims to provide visitors with a first-hand view of the Palestinian experience and urges viewers to "stand on the side of justice, humanity and truth." The collection serves as a powerful reminder of Palestine's historical presence and ongoing cultural significance. The exhibition "Palestine Was and Will Remain" is open to the general public until February 28, 2025. Visiting hours are daily from 10.00am to 4.00pm at the PNCA. The Embassy of Palestine, Pakistan, expressed gratitude to all those who contributed to making the exhibition a reality and to all attendees whose presence demonstrated solidarity and commitment to justice. As visitors walked through the exhibition, many were seen reflecting on the poignant imagery and the message of resilience it conveyed. The Embassy of Palestine emphasised the importance of such events in keeping the global conversation alive about Palestine's plight, encouraging more dialogue and international support. As the exhibition continues, it is expected to inspire further conversations around the world about justice, peace, and the enduring spirit of the Palestinian people.
