Pakistan National CouncilOf The Arts
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Performing Arts Division
The Performing Arts Division (PAD) is responsible for the promotion of arts such as dance, music and its allied forms by organizing functions of these arts and providing training in all departments of relevant fields. With this mission the division is the hub and nerve center of the Council. It regularly arranges functions on classical, semi-classical and folk singing, while introducing artists from different and far flung regions of the country. Of course renowned vocalists and instrumentalists are invited from time to time to cater to the needs of serious audience.
Training facilities are available and regular classes of instrumental music are on within the premises.
PAD has a valuable collection of all kinds of classical, semi-classical, instrumental vocal, ghazals, qawalis and national songs by the great maestros of the country. The audio-video library in its modest recordings can however boast of having some rare recordings.
The Division also established many departments like National Puppet Theatre,
National Repetory Theater, Children Workshop etc.
National Puppet Theatre
As is evident from name, our Puppet Section was established a little late
but it was a great step forward taken by PNCA to revive one of our most
popular folk yet dying art. Our foreign trained staff after much hard work
put life into it and it presents plays, skits, folk tales regularly at
NPT hall on weekly basis. They are also invited by different organizations
at home and abroad, especially schools to present their skill. There is
collection of every kind of puppets from traditional to modern
National Repertory Theatre
Repertory Theatre of PNCA was established in 1975 with a view to provide entertainment simultaneously to the large cities, to the mofasil and far-flung areas of the country. At present, R.T is performing the following functions.
1. International Linkages
2. Contacts with all the prominent drama groups of Pakistan.
3. Organises Drama Festivals.
4. Financial Assistants to the artists.
5. College Students Drama Festivals.
6. PNCA’s Drama Academy Classes.
7. Children Activity.
8. School Breakfast Clubs.
9. Evenings with Prominent Artists.
Children Arts Workshop
In view of the importance of promoting cultural activity among children
and to provide a chance to them for directly falling past in the organization
of children cultural functions, the unit was created in the Performing
Arts Division as Children Art Workshop. The idea grows out of
a children programme organized in August 1974. This unit is successfully
operating since then as there is no dearth of intelligent and creative
children in Pakistan. It has been instrumental not only in organizing cultural
functions for children on different occasion but also been constantly assisting
the schools in the promotion of cultural activities for children.
Liaquat Memorial Hall
In 1972 the Liaquat Memorial Hall, and its environment with about
200 acres, was transferred by Cabinet Division to PNCA with
seating capacity of about 800 person. Since then the Council has vastly
augmented the available facilities. Interior work i.e. panelling, preparing
of chairs, curtains etc., was carried out and latest light and sound system
was introduced to facilitate the artist as well as the audience. It is
the only hall in the city equipped with latest facilities i.e. back projection,
two side wings for extra space and back stage facilities like changing
room, make-up room with allied facilities.
Liaquat Memorial Hall is now the hub of cultural activities and become
the venue of public functions, exhibitions, stage plays and performances
by cultural troupes.
National Performing Arts Group
The Group represent Pakistan abroad through our traditional folk dances
and tunes of which we are proud of. It is based at Karachi and holds regular
shows and concerts. Here are quite a few seasoned singers and dancers in
the team who render traditional regional folk songs and dances as well
as tableau on national themes. From time to time group gave performances
in other countries and contributed well to promote Pakistani culture abroad
and have earned good name for the country and applause from the audience
where ever they have performed.
National Orchestra and Choral Ensemble
It has now been realized that some of our traditional music instruments
and folk dances and traditions are going to die out due to some reasons.
A timely rescue was needed for which need was felt to have a National Orchestra
and Choral Ensemble. The project is under completion rather half done as
National Performing Arts Group is doing its part. Artists are being contacted
for orchestra hopefully it will soon be entertaining the masses.
Music Institute
In the past music and dance were in shackles of social taboos and were
not being considered as art forms. But times have changed and resulted
in setting up of an art institute. Previously it was impressioned that
Pakistan has no music and dance of its own and that we are people without
a national and folk expression. The institute has proved it false and is
imparting training to students in the field and providing facilities of
examination and awarding of diploma to students whether local or out station.
The institute has therefore, devised a curriculum of study in instrumental
and vocal music. Classes are being held regularly.
Following are the functions of Visual Arts Division:-
1. To restore and conserve works of art with training
abroad in the field
and to setup a laboratory for reiteration and concertion of paintings.
2. To establish National Art Gallery (under construction)
presently located in
a hired building.
3. To arrange National and International exhibitions,
competition of
paintings, graphics prints, sculptures, ceramics, photography etc.
regularly.
4. To arrange seminars on different art related
to paintings and contention
of artists.
5. To arrange lectures on arts and crafts in Pakistan
and other countries as
well and also exchange art training with friend countries.
National Art Gallery
National Art Gallery at Islamabad is the only one of its kind in Pakistan where works of art representing prominent artists are displayed permanently for viewing of public. The significant collection of these treasures of art is being collected in small rooms being turned into National Art Gallery. Almost 423 art pieces are in our permanent collection, purchased or gifted by the artists for National Art Gallery. Presently it is situated in a hired building.
Currently the project of NAG is under construction but being carried out
in intervals due to paucity of funds. We hope it to get completed soon.
This portion is dedicated to a legendary Pakistani artist Sadequain
who
ruled the Pakistani arts scene during 60s, 70s and 80s because of his innovative
expression both in expressionistic paintings and calligraphy by giving
it a new dimension. He experienced almost all available and possible mediums.
Gallery Sadequain offers a rich variety of creative expressions.
Shakier Ali Museum
This is the first biographical museum established in Pakistan on sudden death of Professor Shakir Ali, the venerated teacher of Arts and a painter of International repute. PNCA conceived a plan of acquiring the house of late Professor Shakier Ali. It is strangely beautiful house with an unusual structure of burnt brick and multi-level rooms and studio, exquisitely designed by the Professor himself, is a master piece of art in itself. His paintings and personal belonging are displayed in studio and various rooms.
It is now a regular center of artistic activities of exhibitions, musical
evenings and seminars on art and culture etc.
Publication, Research & Reference
The task of this Division is to take effective steps to provide
ideological and intellectual feedback for strengthening the cultural identity
— a pre-requisite for the promotion, projection and perpetuation of the
arts. To achieve these objectives, the Division arranges seminars and symposia,
interaction among arts and cultural activists, in-depth studies of cultural
issues, publication of books, brochures and portfolios and maintain practical
rapport with print and electronic media as well as reference library housed
with art and cultural literature coupled with press clippings, photographs
and transparencies of archival significance. This division has also produced
many books/ publications on art and culture.
Cultural Pacts Implementation Division
The job of this Division is undoubtedly a political aspect. Its
efficiency and working can go a long way in cementing ties of friendship
between Pakistan and the other part of the world. The Division handles
exchange of cultural troupes, delegations, exhibitions and prominent
personalities to Pakistan under bilateral cultural exchange programs. It
also sends out cultural troupes and delegations to other countries both
in the East and the West, including Muslim countries. Thus working
towards achieving better understanding among people of Pakistan and of
other countries of the World through appropriate activity in the field
of art and culture under cultural pacts/ agreements. Pakistan has signed
cultural agreements with over 66 countries uptodate. However, due
to financial sanctions, only few exchanges could be accommodated every
year.
Planning Development and Projects Division
Creating new institutions and making out cases for them is the primary job of this Division.
Functions of this division are enumerated as under:-
1. Initiate development schemes either on its own
or on the basis of
proposals received from the Divisions/ Sections and submit the same
to the competent authority for approval and ensure its proper and
effective implementation.
2. Ensure proper and efficient maintenance of office
and residential
buildings of the PNCA.
3. To undertake any other assignment referred to
the Division.