LAHORE – Light drizzle has left the city with a dreary, somber mood. Mist hangs low and sometimes not even the dark outline of trees is visible. But the bleak winter weather has not been able to replace the excitement of New Years’ eve. Almost everyone has something planned out for the night. Whether it is dance parties or family reunions, people in Lahore are ready to say goodbye to the last night of 2010, filled with hope and excitement. Event managing businesses are flourishing and song DJs have already been booked. What is more is that as always the wedding season has coincided with this time period and wedding halls, lawns, residential parks and even streets in small localities have already been occupied with tents. Sara, a student, says she has actually bought a new dress for a New Year party. “I don’t usually shop for parties but this year has been so miserable for everyone that I feel like really letting my hair down,
” she says. Others who are having parties have been busy making arrangements for the big night, since at least the last week. “If you want your party to be any good, you should start at least a week before,” says Ali, a teenage student who is having a small gathering of friends at his house.
“If you want it to be the best, then there’s a lot of competition out there so you will have to book one of the best DJs a month earlier!” he winks. DJs have been bombarded with calls and appointments. No single DJ can do two parties in a night, because usually the fun would always start after the clock strikes twelve and the ‘witching hour’ begins.
Until then dances are just ‘warm up sessions’ or the crowd is only mingling with each other and checking to see who has newly arrived. And as time passes by, booming speakers and feverish strobe lights add to the tipsy mood of the crowd, as dancing slowly becomes the only reason for being at the party. Food supplies centre around light finger food, rather than huge dinners. Of course in such gatherings alcohol too has been ordered in large amounts so that no one misses out on anything. Jameel, a bootlegger says that his supply of liquor has increased since Christmas.
“It’s a big hit, whatever anyone says. You can’t party without it.” Many have even rented out farm houses on the outskirts of Lahore so that bonfires can be lit and a winters’ night can be enjoyed. But spending so much on one night may not be everyone’s scenario. Many just want a quiet night in sitting with close members of the family, or maybe go out to watch a movie with cousins.
“I don’t know maybe cinemas will be crowded that night and there will traffic, but as another alternative I want to sit inside at home, with a cosy atmosphere and just be with my parents and siblings,” says Aamna, a banker who is drowning with work all week. Meanwhile, as New Year’s night is falling on a weekend,
weddings have been promptly planned. Sound and light systems have been rented for weddings, especially mehndis which are falling on the weekend. And while for many people weddings on New Year are exciting, those who were married before are now to be celebrating their anniversaries. Seeing as so many occasions are now seen on the same night, traffic is bound to be haphazard. More picket fences have already been set up in military areas such as Lahore Cantt, but with traffic turning into a nightmare for several people, areas such as Liberty will also have to be managed.
Even then many fear a major traffic jam at several places in the city. Many other people have opted to leave the city to celebrate New Year night in either another city with relatives, or outside the country in exotic surroundings.
PIA flight officials say that many people have opted to go to warmer places at this time of the year, while several others wanted to go to Dubai, Thailand and other winter resorts. Internally, people have planned to go to places like Murree and Bhurban. “In any case, flights are full,” he says.
If you want your party to be any good, you should start at least a week before. If you want it to be the best, then there’s a lot of competition out there so you will have to book one of the best DJs a month earlier
