Amjad Hadi Yousafzai
PESHAWAR : It was a night to remember at Nishtar Hall as crowds poured in for a joint theater and music program organized by IDEA in collaboration with the Culture and Tourism Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The enthusiasm of the audience turned the hall into a sea of people, with barely any room left to stand.
Upon arrival, we found that every seat was taken — even the upper gallery was packed to the brim. It was clear that the people of Peshawar had come out in full force to celebrate art and culture. As I told my friends while looking at the overflowing hall, “This is the true love of Pashtuns for art — when they come in such numbers that even gravity feels crowded.”
The theater performance was already underway, captivating the audience from the very first moment. The silence in the hall would deepen with each emotional scene and then erupt suddenly into applause and cheers. It was a powerful display of artistic talent from well-known Pashtun performers including Naeem Mukhlis, Sangin Shah, and Hayat Roghani, with Arshad Saleem’s voice adding a soulful touch in the background.
After the performance, the audience’s response was overwhelmingly positive. Many praised Hayat Roghani and his team for delivering a production that combined artistic brilliance with a meaningful message of non-violence, peace, and love.
“You don’t often see such standard and substance on stage these days,” one young attendee said, smiling. “We need more of this — not just for entertainment, but for inspiration.”
The program also earned appreciation for its organizers. Several attendees thanked IDEA and the Culture and Tourism Department for reviving cultural activities in the province and called for more events of this nature.
As the crowd slowly dispersed from the hall — still buzzing with excitement — one could sense that this wasn’t just another evening of entertainment. It was a reminder that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially its youth, hold a deep and enduring love for art, music, and cultural expression.
Or as one cheerful spectator put it on his way out: “Next time, we’re coming early — this much love for art can’t fit in one hall!”
featuring On this occasion, Director General of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority, Habibullah Arif, and President of Mafkoora Center, Salman Mian, inaugurated the theatre play and the art exhibition by cutting the ribbon. They were accompanied by Mafkoora’s creative writer Hayat Roghani, Director of Culture and Tourism Authority Umar Arshad Khan, and other notable personalities.
The event promoted creativity, brotherhood, peace, love, and the spirit of humanity. Various artists gave live performances, and the activities began with a theatre play followed by a musical evening that was highly appreciated by the audience.
Before the start of the festival, DG Tourism Authority Habibullah Arif also visited the art gallery where an exhibition of paintings and artisans’ stalls was arranged. The exhibition featured artworks created by different artists, while male and female craftsmen had set up stalls displaying a variety of handmade crafts.
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