Asian Study Group holds ‘end of the season’ event

Islamabad
Unlike the opening of the season event organised by the Asian Study Group (ASG) which features a topic/exhibition dealing with the theme of the year and whets the appetite for what’s to come, the end of the season event is fun-filled and one of the most awaited.
It features a quiz on Pakistan to test the members’ knowledge about the country; prizes are awarded to the first three winners who have submitted photographs for the annual calendar, while all thirteen photographs are displayed; there is an announcement of the new committee and patron; a host of thanks and farewells — if any — and the evening ends on a high note with music that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Best of all, this entertaining ‘package’ comes at a price all members can afford! ASG has been around for some time so I will not elaborate on what it does except to say knowledge, discussion, music, sporting activities and fine arts are all showcased in its numerous programmes.
The event was held a little earlier this year because the patron, the high commissioner of Australia, Peter Heyward, is leaving after the completion of his tenure. It was scheduled to be held at the Australian high commission but was shifted to Serena Hotel due to inclement weather. The evening began with the arrival of members and their guests and a reception period of about an hour, after which the call to be seated was made and the show began with ASG President Parvin Malik addressing the gathering.
She first explained the reason for the change in venue and thanked the CEO Serena Hotels Aziz Boolani for saving the day and the ‘miracle workers’ of the hotel who had changed the hall from a conference room to a banquet hall in just an hour. She then thanked the committee members who are all volunteers and only do what they do because of their love for the country. She concluded by thanking Peter Heyward and his wife Susan for being strong supporters of ASG activities and introduced the new patron, the High Commissioner of Britain, Philip Barton.
Peter Heyward said he and Susan had attended as many programmes of the ASG as it was possible for them to do and found it a great way to meet people outside the diplomatic community. “We interacted with men and women and their families — people whom we may not have met otherwise — and it was great,” he said. “We laud the effort being put in to promote the positive image of Pakistan and hope Parvin and her team will continue the good work.”
Committee member (publications) Sajjid Munir then read out the names of the winners of the calendar contest and they were awarded prizes, after which Peter Heyward and Parvin conducted the quiz, which had been prepared by committee member, Misbah Alam. Many door prizes were given out after dinner.
At last it was time for the much anticipated performance by Zoe Viccaji and The Band and they did not disappoint — an hour of hit numbers, both her own and those sung by others vocalists, followed. The audience clapped along, whistled and thoroughly enjoyed themselves — with the expats in the audience keen to know who this talented vocalist was and was she really from Pakistan?! Yes, she is and we are proud!
Zoe is an internationally recognised musician, singer and songwriter, who has also been an integral house band member of ‘Coke Studio,’ Pakistan and been featured solo as well. An exemplary performer, she is known for her mesmerizing emotional voice and unique song writing ability. She began her career as a singer of jazz and over time has incorporated different genres of music into her style, resulting in an interesting hybrid of east and west. Apart from her original music, Zoe also performs renditions of old classics - both in Urdu and English.
The musicians accompanying Zoe Viccaji belong to the exceptional musically- oriented Goan Community. If there was rhythm, colour and distinction associated with the music scene in the Pakistan of 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s, it came in part from the magnanimous contribution of this unique community, setting precedents for today’s gurus in music.
A rich mix of seasoned and multi-talented musicians, the four member band exhibits versatility of music ranging from rock, funk, pop, blues and ballads from the ‘60’s, ‘70s, ‘80’s right up to modern-day contemporary classics.