Latest news with #PNCA
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Exhibit showcases new media art
The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) is hosting Seeing, (Seen): Reframing the Moving Image in Pakistan, a groundbreaking exhibition bringing together artists from Pakistan and the UK to explore the transformative potential of the moving image as a medium of resistance, disruption and reimagination. Seeing, (Seen) engages with themes of memory, identity, and temporality, positioning the moving image as a fluid, uncontained force in contemporary visual culture. It contributes to the evolving discourse on new media and experimental art within Pakistan's unique cultural context. The exhibition features works by prominent Pakistani artists Abdul Hadi, Farida Batool, Kaiser Irfan, Mahnoor Ali Shah, M4HK, Rabeeha Adnan and Ujala Khan, alongside UK-based artist duo John Wood and Paul Harrison, with additional selections from the British Council Art Collection. A dynamic public programme will run throughout the exhibition, including artist talks, panel discussions, workshops, lectures and presentations focused on film, media, identity, and perception. Curated by Islamabad based curator and designer Sarah Rajper, the exhibition reframes film, video and new media as powerful tools for questioning how we see, sense and experience the world. The exhibition is the culmination of Rajper's participation in the prestigious Art Exchange: Moving Image curatorial fellowship - a year-long international programme, supported by the British Council and organised by LUX (UK) and Art South Asia Project. The fellowship included opportunities for mentorship, critical exchange and research visits to major UK institutions such as Tate Modern, Somerset House, Barbican Centre and the British Film Institute. The exhibition opens with a public reception on 30 July 2025, from 4.00pm to 8.00pm, featuring the Artist Panel Discussion from 6.00pm to 7.00pm, and will remain on view until 8 August 2025. Daily viewing hours are 10.00am to 4.00pm (closed Saturdays) at PNCA, Islamabad. Organised in partnership with the Lahore Digital Arts Festival and PNCA, this cross-cultural showcase offers audiences a chance to engage with boundary-pushing work at the intersection of art, technology and social commentary.
Express Tribune
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Sufi classic enchants audience
The timeless mystique of Sufi romance came alive on stage as the classic Punjabi folktale Saiful Malook was performed at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). The event, organised in collaboration with Dolphin Communication, celebrated Pakistan's literary and spiritual heritage through a theatrical tribute to the iconic poem by Hazrat Mian Muhammad Bakhsh. Directed by renowned writer and Dolphin Communication CEO Asma Butt, the production paid homage to the legendary Sufi poet whose verses continue to resonate through generations with themes of divine love, sacrifice, and spiritual awakening. The play's rich narration and soulful performances transported the audience into the ethereal world of Prince Saif and Fairy Badiul Jamal. The audience, which included artists, writers, intellectuals, and students, was immersed in a visually and emotionally moving experience that highlighted the enduring depth of Punjab and Kashmir's oral storytelling traditions. Member of the National Assembly Shazia Farid, who attended as the chief guest, lauded the performance and praised Asma Butt's vision. "Bringing Saiful Malook to life on stage is not just storytelling — it's cultural preservation. This production reflects the emotional depth of our folklore and the artistic sensitivity of our performers," she said. Other notable attendees included PNCA Programme Organizer Dr Waqar Azim; Judge Raheel Yousafzai; Saeen Ejaz; Naveed Kanwal; Naeem Pasha; Shakeel Awan; and Abid Abbasi. All expressed admiration for the revival of such meaningful and heritage-driven content. The cast featured a talented ensemble of actors from Rawalpindi and Islamabad, including Kaleem Khan, Nirmal Ali, Arshad Khan, Shazia Adeeb, Jhalak Ali, Raiha Yousaf, Shama Adil, Afzal Latifi, Raheel Ejaz, Shabbir Shah, Aslam Mughal, Arshad Mehmood, Mehboob Ilyas, Muhammad Ali, Mumtaz Khan, Farooq Jani, Noor, and others. A standout moment came during Afzal Latifi's powerful recitation of Mian Muhammad Bakhsh's verses, which evoked a spiritual ambiance and drew spontaneous applause. The play's evocative direction, traditional music, and atmospheric set design combined to deliver a fully immersive theatrical experience. In her closing remarks, director Asma Butt called the production "a labour of love." She added, "Our goal was not just to entertain but to reconnect audiences with their roots, their language, and the beauty of our folk traditions."
Express Tribune
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'K-POP Festival' rocks Islamabad
The Embassy of the Republic of Korea successfully hosted the 2025 K-POP Festival at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), transforming Islamabad into a vibrant hub of music, dance, and cultural exchange. The event served as the regional preliminary round to select Pakistan's representatives for the prestigious 2025 Changwon World K-POP Festival in South Korea. The festival was hosted by the dynamic Naila Shuja, a renowned anchorperson from PTV World, who kept the audience engaged and energized throughout the evening. Notable dignitaries in attendance included Muhammad Ayoub Jamali, Director General of PNCA, and Dr Sameena Khan, Parliamentary Secretary for the National Heritage and Culture Division. Both praised the initiative for strengthening cultural ties and encouraging artistic expression among Pakistani youth. The competition featured two primary categories: K-POP Vocal Cover and K-POP Dance Cover. Ten contestants — five in each category — captivated the audience with their passionate performances and impressive talent. Adding an interactive twist, the festival featured a lively segment titled "Quiz on Korea," which tested participants' knowledge of K-POP, Korean cuisine, landmarks, national symbols, and drama culture. Winners received Korea-themed prizes, including BLACKPINK hoodies, BTS mugs, BLACKPINK pouches, Korean facial masks, and Kakao Friends wireless chargers — all of which delighted the enthusiastic crowd. Highlighting the night were two special guest performances by past K-POP Festival winners — one each from the vocal and dance categories — who returned to the stage with professional-calibre acts that earned roaring applause. Prizes for the 2025 winners were generously sponsored by Samsung. The First Prize winners in both categories received the latest Samsung Galaxy A26 smartphones, Second Prize winners were awarded Galaxy Smart Watch A7, and Third Prize winners received Samsung Galaxy Wireless Earbuds 3. More than just a competition, the festival offered an immersive experience celebrating Korean culture and music, while empowering Pakistani youth with a platform to showcase their talents on an international stage. The audience responded with infectious enthusiasm, especially during the quiz and performances, underlining the growing popularity of K-POP in Pakistan. Events like these continue to strengthen cultural diplomacy, with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea playing a pivotal role in deepening ties and fostering mutual appreciation between Korea and Pakistan.
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
PNCA launches first-ever opera singing course
The Pakistan National Council of the Arts, in collaboration with the Embassy of Romania, launched its first-ever Opera Singing Courses at the PNCA Islamabad, marking a significant step in Pakistan's performing arts education and international cultural exchange. Parliamentary Secretary for National Heritage and Culture, Farah Naz Akbar, Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan, Dan Stoenescu attended the event. In her remarks, Akbar emphasised the importance of such collaborations in nurturing new talent and strengthening cultural diplomacy. Ambassador Dan Stoenescu delivered an inspiring speech highlighting the universal power of music and announced a generous initiative by offering scholarships for music students in Romania. This scholarship programme is a major opportunity for emerging Pakistani musicians to receive world-class training abroad. An engaging overview of the course, its vision, and methodology was presented by Georgiana Costea-Glug?, who will be closely involved in the training process. PNCA director general highlighted the role of PNCA for the promotion of music and arts in Pakistan. Many international cultural exchange initiatives were taken under the leadership of Muhammad Ayoub Jamali, who was the director general of PNCA. The event featured captivating live performances by PNCA students, including opera singing, violin, guitar, keyboard, and a cultural, folk fusion, showcasing the diversity and depth of local talent. This milestone initiative would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Ghulam Muhammad, incharge of music classes at PNCA.
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Exhibit showcases German artist's mesmerising art
Visitors admire German artist Dagmar Rauwald's vision expressed through bold strokes and skillful mastery in her paintings displayed at the 'Intention vs Convention: Fluid Presence' exhibition at the PNCA in the federal capital. PHOTO: EXPRESS Pakistan National Council of the Arts, National Art Gallery, Islamabad hosted the highly anticipated solo exhibition titled: "Intention vs Convention: Fluid Presence" by renowned German artist Dagmar Rauwald which will go on till June 3. The event included an immersive workshop and presented a vibrant celebration of shared cultural heritage and creative exchange between Pakistan and Germany. The event was graced by Pakistan's Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Shahid Kamal. During the event, Dagmar Rauwald, a dynamic artist based in Hamburg, presented a captivating body of work that thrives on emotional expressiveness and conceptual depth. Her paintings, applied to transparent film with bold, sweeping gestures, evoke a tension between fluidity and solidity, lightness and opacity. By embracing transparent foils — either layered or singular — Rauwald immerses viewers in the immediacy of the present, abstracting real-world events influenced by media imagery and socio-political narratives. Her exploration of hybridity and evolving visual codes invites a profound dialogue that bridges Western and Eastern traditions, drawing inspiration from the fluid rhythm of Urdu calligraphy. Through her concept of "fluid presence," Rauwald's art created a multilayered hermeneutic experience, resonating with contemporary discourses on gender, identity and the autonomy of artistic expression. Her mastery of technique and her commitment to fostering transcultural exchange have earned her national and international recognition. Central to the event's success was the visionary curatorship of Farrah Mehmood, an esteemed Pakistani visual artist and educator. Farrah's dedication to nurturing cultural dialogue and artistic excellence elevated the exhibition, illuminating a path for future collaborations between Pakistan and Germany. The event was further supported by Dr Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, whose message of congratulations reflected his vision for sustained artistic exchanges between Hamburg and Islamabad. His emphasis on the importance of intercultural dialogue — particularly during these complex global times — resonated deeply with the event's purpose. In its entirety, this landmark event demonstrated that art is not merely an aesthetic pursuit but a bridge that connects cultures, fosters mutual understanding, and builds a more harmonious world. The collective efforts of Shahid Kamal's inspiring leadership, Farrah Mehmood's curatorial brilliance, Mariam Ahmed's direction and Dagmar Rauwald's bold artistic expression stand as a testament to the transformative power of creativity, diplomacy and vision. As this exhibition concludes, it leaves behind not just beautiful works and inspired minds but also a blueprint for future collaborations that will continue to strengthen the cultural, artistic, and educational ties between Pakistan and Germany. The opening drew a diverse audience from the arts, media, diplomatic community, and development sectors. It was well-attended and warmly received, with visitors appreciating the variety of perspectives and the shared message that photography speaks across languages and backgrounds. The exhibition will remain open to the public until June 3, 2025, and can be visited during official PNCA gallery hours. PNCA has also announced a painting workshop by Dagmar.
