Mark your Calendars...Not to be missed!

This unique presentation will explore the evolution of the 'Ameer Hamza' legend, beginning with its earliest known roots in Persian heroic literature. Over centuries, the tale travelled eastwards and finally ended up in the Subcontinent, where it absorbed local language, cultural and artistic traditions. What began as a relatively contained Persian narrative of heroism, and moral struggle, eventually transformed into the Urdu ‘Dastaan e Ameer Hamza’ in the 19th Century...

Programme:
A short dramatic reading from the Urdu version of ‘Dastaan e Amir Hamza’ (with a translation in English), will be presented with light live music to evoke the atmosphere of traditional ‘Dastaangoi’ (The art of storytelling).This will be followed by a 30-minute illustrated presentation tracing the evolution of the ‘Hamza’ narrative, from its beginnings in Persian tradition, through its absorption into Arabic-influenced regions, and finally to its transformation into the most expansive version in the Subcontinent. The presentation will also be supported by a curated slideshow featuring manuscript illustrations, historical artwork and visual material from the different cultures through which the story travelled!

Join us for an interactive session : ask questions about the story’s transitions, comparative literary traditions, and the cultural blending that shaped the final epic!

The Presenter
Imran Iftikhar is the Artistic Director of Chaand Nagar Theatre and has over eight years of experience working in theatre as a director, writer, and actor. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School in New York and a Bachelor’s degree in World Religions from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. Alongside his work in the arts, Imran has a long-standing interest in history and a ten year experience of teaching Middle School history.

Venue: Kehkashan 3, Serena Hotel- Islamabad

· In collaboration with Serena Hotel, Islamabad.

For further information :Ali Bhatti 0300 5638458/ASG Office; 11 am- 2 pm: Tues-Wed: 0343 5127861, Thurs-Sat: 051 2802343, e-mail: asianstudyg@gmail.com

Foreigners are advised to arrange their NOCs ahead of the tour.

CHAKWAL: A CULTURAL & HISTORICAL DESTINATION!

A rare opportunity- not to be missed!!!

Journey into the heart of the Salt Range, a hidden palimpsest of geography, mysticism and empire two hours away from Islamabad. It's a landscape where history lies exposed in strata: Mughal, Hindu Shahi, and colonial British - all woven into the very earth.

Our quest begins in Kallar Kahar at the Takht-e-Babri, a stark stone throne where the founder of the Mughal dynasty Emperor Babur, then an ambitious prince from Central Asia, paused his southward march towards Delhi to address his army. Here, you will feel the nascent power of a dynasty that would shape the subcontinent for centuries.

From royal ambition, we descend into the grim realities of empire at Dulmial. This village, famed as the Home of Gunners yielded a staggering 460 men to the trenches of the First World War. The venerable, iron British Cannon, a bizarre relic of Victorian Scotland transported by ox-cart to this remote patch of Punjab, stands as a melancholy monument to the immense, often-forgotten sacrifices of the native sepoys in Europe's distant wars. You will visit a small village museum that preserves the memories of these veterans.

We will next experience the jewel in the crown: Katas Raj temples. Built around a holy pool said to be the tears of Shiva, this temple complex is a serene testament to the enduring pluralism of the Potohar region, a sanctuary whose waters have witnessed millennia of faith. We will then visit the abandoned, yet sublime, Malkana Temples, to experience echoes of the Hindu Shahi era over lunch.

Finally, we exchange ancient architecture for ancient geology, contemplating the wind-sculpted grandeur of the Chakwal Canyons, a magnificent reminder that this land was once the floor of a primeval sea.

The tour will be led by a professional guide with extensive experience curating historic,cultural tours for international travellers. The payment covers all essential provisions: comfortable transport to and from Islamabad (including the memorable experience of a traditional Pakistani bus for one leg of the local journey), local food (vegetarian), Virtual Reality based storytelling, mineral water (please bring your own bottles for refill), tea and regional music.

A multimedia presentation featuring film clips and archival photographs of one of Pakistan’s brightest and most enigmatic film star!

In revisiting her life and legacy, we do not merely pay tribute to her,we step back into a lost world... a world of velvet curtains, dimming lights, and a queen whose reign, though brief, remains eternal. Rani was not merely an actress but an enigma, an embodiment of love and loss, who’s every glance, spoke volumes and every dance move evoked a world of longing. Yet, behind the dazzling veneer lay a tale as tragic as the roles she played. Just as she suffered for love on-screen, she endured heartbreak and hardship in life. This interplay between art and reality made her performances all the more poignant and her presence all the more unforgettable!

‘More than a performer, Rani was a phenomenon- a true silver-screen star who cast a spell over the golden age of Lollywood. Hers was a name that became synonymous with drama, tragedy, and timeless elegance. In a world that often silenced women, she spoke through her performances. In an industry that demanded conformity, she created space for defiance. Her story is not merely that of an actress, but of an era .She remains a symbol of feminine strength—a woman who, despite the heartbreaks life dealt her, remained etched in the hearts of her admirers. Beyond the melodrama, Rani was also a quiet revolutionary. In an industry where actresses were often boxed into archetypes, she defied expectations. She played women who were full of contradictions—heroines who owned their desires, challenged conventions, and, in doing so, became symbols of resilience. As the rebellious courtesan, the betrayed lover, or the woman who refused to be silenced, her portrayals echoed the struggles of real women fighting to carve spaces of independence in a restrictive world… ‘

Guest Presenter: Haroon Shuaib is a film historian and media and culture commentator. With an extensive experience of having worked with multiple international donor agencies, he has also been a documentary filmmaker and broadcast programmer. He writes regularly on films, music, culture and environment for many national and international publications and runs his own art gallery and community space in Quetta, the first of its kind social impact venture in Balochistan.

Raja Rasalu, is a cultural icon in Punjabi folklore. The King famous for slaying giants left a legacy which continues to resonate and inspire, transcending the boundaries of time.

With the help of visual aids, the illustrative story- telling session will cover this iconic Punjabi folklore in depth through multiple lenses!

The programme will touch upon the circumstances of his birth, his initial explorations, betrayal by his friends, giant-hunting adventures, his journey into mysticism, his journey to the City of King Sarkap. It will also explore themes of femininity in Punjabi lore, with the story of Raja Rasalu and the Seventy Fair Maidens, and the traditional game of 'Chaupur', which he played with the King of Sarkap!

We will dive into influences: historical, regional and religious alike, where necessary, to add context to these exciting folktales, and discuss how these stories, or the morals they encompass within, are relevant in modern times!

• The Presenter- Komal Salman is the Founder of Folkloristan, a digital storytelling platform working to leverage technology to preserve Pakistan's intangible cultural heritage, primarily focusing on local oral tradition. Along with retellings, translations, illustrations, and relevant research, Folkloristan also collects and curates folklore from across the country.

An opportunity to explore and celebrate the diversity of history and culture!

A group of Sikh physicians from the United States are visiting Pakistan for a Sikh Heritage Tour of Northwest Punjab. It includes individuals whose parents migrated from present day Pakistan in the events leading to partition. The participants will indulge in a 'culinary' activity where the restaurant's chefs will help them prepare everyday Pakistani cuisine!

Documentary/ Presentation/Conversation

The Koochi nomads of Afghanistan belong to the Ghalji Tribe who are the largest migratory people on the planet, numbering about 2.5 Million. They traverse within Afghanistan-from North to South and in and out of Pakistan- on a seasonal basis, looking for greener pastures where they can feed their livestock, which are mostly goats and sheep.

A very conservative society, they maintain a safe distance from interference by the locals, and shun photography very strictly, especially of their women folk.This centuries old culture maybe coming to an end, because of the construction of fences and blockage of movement of these tribes…

Between 2006 -2008, approximately 100,000 nomads were included in a survey/research which covered the entire borderline with Afghanistan -between Pishin (Baluchistan) and up to the Mohmand tribal agency, in the KP province.

The producer/scriptwriter of this documentary Abid Zareef Khan- President & CEOof his NGO the Zareef Khan Foundation (ZKF) had the fortunate opportunity to film this century’s old culture of survival and existence- The information has been tabulated scientifically, and is in possession of the NGO-ZKF.

Cricket is the most played, watched, and admired sport in Pakistan. It isn't just a game, it's the beating heart of the nation!

Played in bustling streets and buzzing bazaars for over seventy years, the journey of Pakistani cricket weaves a colorful tapestry of Pakistan's story. The cricket team serves as a symbol of pride, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries to bring people together...

Hasan and Safa, cricket enthusiasts- hailing from Islamabad- believe that no other sphere of life articulates Pakistan’s history, culture and society more precisely than cricket. Their presentation-reflecting how cricket mirrors culture- explores the history of cricket, from its humble origins to match-fixing controversies, and Pakistan’s unique contributions to the sport.

'The way in which international media frames certain ideas affects public perception , and relates to the struggle to deal effectively with a diversity of experiences and perspectives of Muslim women across borders...'

Toronto based visual artist and curator Iman Aziz Bhatti will share her experiences on how Muslim Pakistani women represent their identity and culture across borders through contemporary art, theory and criticism; and how visual arts is giving them agency to represent themselves while challenging the normalization of stereotypical ideas and realities put forward by media.

Iman Azizi Bhatti graduated in Fine Art and in Criticism and Curatorial Practice from Ontario College of Art & Design University. Her practice explores themes of identity, gender roles, orientalism and resistance to emphasize how exposure to images shapes perception, particularly that of South Asian women.

A presentation

'Hijra Farsi'- a secret language historically used by transgenders in Pakistan, has been practised for ages in the larger region of South and Far East Asia. The language is used for expressing concepts, ideas and references unique to the community, that is why they see it as a tool of survival rather than communication. However, its secrecy has been compromised because of social media or direct interaction with transgenders.

The presenter-Tayyaba Rafiq- has spent almost two years observing the transgender community in Lahore, Kasur, Multan, Faisalabad, Karachi, Quetta, and Islamabad. She questions if the language should be documented for safeguarding or kept veiled to protect the concerns of the community.

With an M-Phil (Linguistics) from Beaconhouse National University (BNU) and an Honours degree in English Language and Linguistics,she is passionate for the preservation of the endangered mother tongue (Punjabi), and writes, advocates and researches themes that centre around her interests. Currently she is documenting the language of the Gypsy community in Kasur.

‘Sindhu’ to ‘Indus’ – the mother, the nurturer- a magnetic calling for millions over millennia. Not just a river, she has been home to societies and cultures for over 7000 plus years.The first step is recognizing heritage at a deeper, more profound, celebratory, soulful architectonic conversation …

Over refreshments of artisanal vegan snacks created by Chef Hamza Azim, spend a Sunday afternoon understanding the mystique of the River Indus. The Indus River Valley Institute (IRVI)invites you to a presentation/get-together on the enigmatic River Indus, with architect/cultural anthropologist Zain Mustafa through his body of work!

The Indus River Valley Institute (IRVI), Pakistan’s first Culture & Heritage think Tank for research & Development, set up in 2022 in an idyllic rural earth based setting- on the outskirts of Islamabad- aims to bring the language of an erudite cultural identity to a singular space, with dialogues, data, research, collaborations, curated courses and residency programs, reclaiming the lost 12 nation family members of the bioregional Indus lineage. A blood line history that has been often forgotten or marginalized…