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AKU Special Lecture Series
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Rafi Peer Group's Journey Through Artistic Explorations
Renowned drama artist Usmaan Peerzada, and brothers Faizaan and Salman,
of the Rafi Peer Theatre Group, left a profound impression on the
audience, as they made their eloquent and extempore discourses on
'Institutions and Individuals: A Journey Through Artistic Explorations'
at Aga Khan University (AKU) on July 14, 2005.
Rafi Peer Theatre Group was invited to AKU as part of the University's
Special Lecture Series programme. The Special Lecture Series is part
of AKU's multidisciplinary and broad-based approach to education which
aims to enrich students' understanding of the humanities and social
sciences. The general public also benefits from this one-to-one interaction
with scholars and other personalities of national and international
repute.
Rafi Peer Theatre Group is a Lahore-based group that organises popular
international festivals. The Group works with major international
companies in the field of theatre, puppetry, dance and music to provide
a rich cross-cultural experience to audiences, and to create harmony
between different cultures of the world.
Through emotive speeches, which were supported by thought-provoking
multimedia presentations, Peerzada brothers shared with distinguished
guests, alumni, faculty, staff, and students present on the occasion,
their 'journey of discovery' depicting 'the past and the present'.
"The whole purpose of the Rafi Peer Theatre Group is to stir a positive
cultural movement, which reflects freedom of speech and education,
and to create a theatre or cinema which is indigenous and promotes
freedom of expression," said Usmaan. Salman stated that the Group
"makes audiences aware of other diverse cultures, as we bring to them
best talents and cultures, through our shows."
"The youth benefits from such union of variegated cultures, new ideas
are born, enmities die down and harmony prevails," Faizaan said. "And
this is the ideology behind the Group," added Usmaan. The Peerzadas
believe that "if a country does not have a vibrant cultural profile,
spearheaded by indigenous cinema and theatre, that country remains
a nation with no identity."
"And a nation's culture, as you know, flourishes best through multifarious
contacts with other cultures," noted AKU President Shamsh Kassim-Lakha,
who also spoke on this occasion. President Shamsh Kassim-Lakha described
the Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop as "the only one in the country that
has been presenting productions jointly with major international cultural
groups." Their whole world, he continued, seems to consist of the
theatre and the performing arts, and they are surrounded by their
unique ambience. President Kassim-Lakha noted that cultural troupes
from as many as 30 countries had delighted Lahore audiences with their
presentations, due entirely to the efforts of the Rafi Peer group.
"This great thespian family has helped put Pakistan on the international
cultural map," remarked Mr. Kassim-Lakha.
This, he added, is an opportune time to be participating in an event
that possesses such rich overtones of art and culture. "Pakistan has
a lot to offer to the world and its own citizens in this field, which
unfortunately is often pushed into the background by intellectual
clogging caused by narrow perspectives and competing needs."
Previous guests in AKU's Special Lecture Series have been luminaries
such as His Royal Highness Prince Hasan of Jordan; the historian Stanley
Wolpert; Zia Mohyeddine; Sahabzada Yaqub-Khan, former foreign minister
of Pakistan and the former Chairman of the AKU Board of Trustees;
internationally recognised artist Gulgee; and Pakistan's High Commissioner
to the UK, Dr Maliha Lodhi.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Nadir Ali Syed,
Associate Dean Postgraduate Medical Education Programme and Convener,
Special Lectures Series, at AKU.
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