–WCLA director general says authority trying its best to revive lost culture, promote country’s positive image in world
LAHORE: The Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA) on Friday held Sufi night “Bulleh Shah” at the newly-restored Royal Kitchen of the Lahore Fort to pay tribute to the Sufi Punjabi Poet Bulleh Shah, which was attended by hundreds of people from different walks of life.
The Royal Kitchen, built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, was converted into a food godown and stable during the Sikh rule and later into a jail during the British colonial era. It remained a prison after Partition, but in 1988, the cells were removed and the building was abandoned.
With the passage of time, most parts of the historic structure collapsed and the remaining were covered in waist-high shrubs. In 2015, WCLA took up its conservation and was assisted by Aga Khan Trust for Culture Services Pakistan as a technical partner.
After successful restoration, WCLA revived the culture of storytelling at the site and another lost art of folklore and folktales was revived at the Royal Kitchen on Friday.
The participants of the Sufi night were given a guided tour of the illuminated Huzoori Bagh along with a rickshaw ride whereas Sayein Zahoor, Fazal Jutt, Wahab Shah and Ajoka Theatre performed at the historic site.
Choreographer, director and dancer, Wahab Shah, while talking to Pakistan Today, shared how honoured did he feel to perform at such a venue.
“I think it was one of my best performances as I have tried to create a fusion of modern and contemporary dance as well as music to bring the new generation closer to our Sufi poets and their message of peace. I have traveled across the world carrying the message of Bulleh Shah so that I can contribute to building a softer image of Pakistan.”
Actor and director Shujaat Hashmi, who hosted the event, said, “Bulleh Shah’s real name was Syed Abdullah Shah Qadri and he was a Mughal-era Punjabi Islamic philosopher and Sufi poet. He practiced the Sufi tradition of Punjabi poetry which was started by poets like Shah Hussain, Sultan Bahu, and Shah Sharaf, but now the language and that poetry is losing grip among the youngsters and I am glad that WCLA came up with such an initiative to highlight the gems of Sufism.”
Bulleh Shah, he said, gave a message of peace, harmony and brotherhood, adding that violence was not the answer to violence.
“It is very important for the new generation to get to know the teachings and writings of Bulleh Shah that stress the need for harmony and I think it is also the need of the hour to spread such messages across the globe so that Pakistan regains its image of a peaceful country.”
WCLA Director General (DG) Kamran Lashari, while talking to this scribe, said they were trying their best to revive the lost culture as the new western trends had taken over the minds of the people.
“WCLA has recently started Dastaan Goi as well and now we have organised the first Sufi night. More such events will be held in the upcoming year and we will dedicate them to other Sufi poets like Shah Hussain, Baba Farid, Sultan Baho and Waris Shah.”
He added that it was one of the best ways to promote a positive image of the country.
“With the passage of time, we are becoming intolerant towards everything and I think it is high time we start spreading Sufi poets’ message of peace and harmony.”
