Second edition of ‘Sabeen’s gift’ to city brings creative community together

Karachi

As mercury rose in the city, many would have thought that the sweltering heat would hold back people from attending the second edition of The Second Floor’s Creative Karachi Festival, but the turnout told a different tale.

With six dedicated areas of Alliance Française abuzz with activity varying from music, art, theatre, films and food, the attendees moved from one spot to another according to their interests.

While the courtyard catered to oratory sessions and theatre, the upper gallery had presentations, sessions, workshops and comic relief. The film room did not only give room to budding filmmakers by showcasing their work but also screened Sharmeen-Obaid Chinoy’s ‘A Girl in the River’.

But all music lovers could be found at the main stage where indie bands like Sikander Ka Mandar, E Sharp and The Sketches performed live. With over 160 participants, including musicians, artists, actors, writers, poets and designers, the garden area and Art Lane had attendees exploring through the stalls as some patiently sat to get their sketches done.

Staged by Zabaan, a radio-play based on Saadat Hasan Manto’s Kaali Shalwar saw a lot of people sit in the courtyard as the few actors acted out the play accompanied by a narration. Despite some technical glitches, the effort by the young director and actors was lauded by the audience and the area later got filled by children who sat down to listen to storytelling and watch theatre specifically designed for them.

Paying tribute to Sabeen Mahmud and other women who have been killed for their cause, Women’s Action Forum (WAF) held a presentation followed by a dance by Suhai Abro through which the organisation remembered Mahmud’s efforts and also told the attendees how it struggled against tyranny.

Another popular spot at the rooftop was the Jupiter Watch, organised by Karachi Astronomer’s Society as a lady along with her niece eagerly waited for her turn in a long queue to take a look at Jupiter and its moons which were visible via a telescope.

Although the attendees enjoyed themselves, there were moments when the organisers ran about to fix the technical glitches but Marvi Mazhar, who has been looking after T2F, made sure that all went well. “Some people have been very encouraging and some aren’t too happy with the glitches but I would say that it the passion which is bringing people. Yet there are some people who are saying that CKF should happen twice a year,” she said.

Given that most of the attendees did reminisce about Mahmud, all said that it felt as if she would appear any moment.

Speaking about the second edition, Asad Alvi, another representative, said that with more artistes participating, the event had become more inclusive.

“CKF is Sabeen’s gift to the people of Karachi but it’s not her shrine; it brings the crative community of Karachi closer and, well, the sensibility is the same,” he said.

The event which kicked off after 1pm continued late into night as music and other festivities went on.