World Culture Festival Karachi: Ghun Chakkar, Manto Mera Dost and Ali Noor concert draw houseful crowds on day eight
File photo: a theatre production on stage at the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi
KARACHI: Day eight of the third World Culture Festival Karachi 2026 at the Arts Council of Pakistan turned into a full house of theatre, music and fine art on Friday, with audiences packing every hall from a children’s play in the morning to a concert under the open sky at night.
A children’s mystery and workshops from abroad
The day opened with Norway’s Erler Teaterkompani and its children’s play “Gangster Hunting with Daisy Detective”, following detective Daisy as she unravels a mysterious case and chases a gangster. In the lobby, Kenyan artist Onesmus Okamar ran a fine arts workshop, telling participants that women are the central figures in his work and his characters always point towards the light. “No matter how dark your life may be, what matters is how you search for the light,” he said. Polish artist Dominika Sergeij taught techniques for conveying peace and tranquillity through colour and paper.
Peace through colour, music and theatre
Arts Council president Muhammad Ahmed Shah said the performing and visual arts were among the most effective ways of spreading the message of peace. “We can communicate our message through colours, music and theatre. People need peace,” he said. American musician Rizwan Jagani and pianist Soltow also held a music workshop on the harmony and balance of chamber music, and gave a performance of their own that the audience warmly received.
Ghun Chakkar packs the house, gates closed
Farhan Rahim’s comedy play Ghun Chakkar drew such a crowd that the studio gates had to be closed. Tehrik-e-Niswan staged Manto Mera Dost, with Sheema Kermani and her group, tracing the friendship and literary bond of Saadat Hasan Manto and Ismat Chughtai, and through their story the human tragedy of Partition, migration, religious prejudice and social contradiction.
Ali Noor closes the night at Jon Elia Lawn
The day ended with the Pure Vibes concert at Jon Elia Lawn, where Ali Noor and Ahsan Bari held the crowd with their vocals and stage presence, the lawn ringing with cheers and applause. The film programme, Pakistani & Student Films, screened Jujji, Chand Pe Charkha Kaat’ti Budhiya, Pani Mathe Jhoopra and Dil Diyan Gallan. The 25-day festival runs from October 29 to November 22.
