Salima Hashmi for revival of culture, values

LAHORE

Sources of cultural expression have vanished from our society and values are being deteriorated which need revival.

People are going to be alienated which is not good for a healthy society and for the welfare of Pakistan. These views were expressed by an artist and cultural writer, Salima Hashmi, on title “Role of Art and Culture in Transformation of a Society” at the event “Breakfast with Jang" organised by Jang Media Group. 

According to her, Lahore was culturally rich, people used to visit to “Khabas”. Not only this, they used to celebrate Basant festival fervently, every year. Unfortunately, misuse of the event had taken lives of the children, she said, adding that Basant should not be banned rather use of metal strings be stopped. People from every walk of life used to participate without their social status. It was beauty of Lahore. The gathering gave them power. In the evening, people used to fly kites on heir rooftops and a voice of Bo kata echoed in every corner of the city. She showed concern over restriction on events that ceased sense of gathering from our society. Unfortunately, our children are not secured. Gathering on special festivals promoted sense of brotherhood among the residents of Lahore. Women used to sing songs at marriage ceremonies.  Salima Hashmi condemned terrorism ad said a wave of terrorism had harmed our culture. Fear was not our culture rather fair (Maila Thaila) on different occasions at different shrines was our culture, she expressed.

Punjabi is a rich language, it should be spoken in every house. Unfortunately, our folks feel shame in speaking Punjabi language. Our languages were not given proper place, she said.

Culturally rich people have broad thinking and they can see beyond the limits. Mother languages open the door of learning for the kids. That’s is why children should be given education in mother languages. All languages in Pakistan should be patronised by the government.

According to her, right of association was snatched from people step by step. Artists have often played a key role in social movements. Faiz Ahmad Faiz , Noor Jahan were beautiful faces of our society, she concluded.