Between
the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day's occupations
That is known as the Children's Hour.
I hear in the chamber above me,
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet. |
Dear Readers
Welcome to the Children's Hour of Humnava. Humnava is a Pakistani Ladies group having
almost 200 members. Basically a cultural and charity organization, it holds its meetings
once every month. Mrs. Khalid
Mahmood, the wife of the Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Pakistan is its patron.
Pakistan Day is always celebrated with great fanfare. All member of the club commemorate
it every year, but unlike the past, this year was a special occasion. This year the
committee members decided to let children participate. Yes, Children - the dawn of our
future, builders of a New World, the torchbearers of mankind.
On Thursday 18th March 1999, the usually quiet King Faisal Recreation Hall resembled on
Eid Mela.
Scores of children thronged the area. Children were the performers, children were the
guests.
The celebrations started with recitation from Holy Qura'an. A tableau 'Sunny ki Kahani'
followed. Then much appreciated patriotic poem written by Rehana Zameer was recited by her
daughter Sana Zameer.
No sooner had this got over than a remix of popular wedding song "Ara Pajama, Resham
ka Kamar bund" was played. A Procession of children led by Warda Sumroo entered
swinging on its tune. It was just fabulous with all those present bursting out into a
merry jug. The mothers went berserk on seeing their daughters dressed up in colorful
Pakistani outfits. The kids too shared their mother's sentiments and rejoiced with great
fervor. Mahreen Butt, Mahleena Chaudhry, Sana Khan, Warda Sumroo and Nida Butt were at
their best. Shafaq Sumroo won great applause as she played 'Dil
Dil Pakistan' on the synthesizer.
A group folk dance was performed on 'Mera Eman Pakistan'. Children entertained the crowd
dressed and dancing as Punjabis, Pathans, Sindhis and Baluchis. Why, there were even
Maryam Iqbal and Saadia Aslam disguised as Quaid-e-Azam and Fatima Jinnah. Towards the end
the little girls enthralled audience as they rocked to the famous "Come on Barbie,
let's go to party' to commemorate the 40th birthday of Barbie dolls. The otherwise naive
kids like Amal Laeeq, Sidra Sallahuddin, Sana Khan, and Nida Butt beamed flashing their
mega-watt smiles. They were totally at ease outside the restricting confines of their
homes. Sameera Sumroo, Amina Khalid, Anam Paracha, Seemi Jameel hosted a quiz dressed and
jesting as clowns. Every child who answered correctly was treated with sweets. In the end
the chief guest, Mrs. Uzma Haroon, Head of Chancery's wife presented gifts to all the
participants.As most of the children here study in Non-Pakistani schools, it was the first
time for them to be the part of a Pakistani cultural show.
I sincerely hope there are more such occasions as they'll help save these 'Culturally
Secluded' kids from a "Cultural Shock" when they proceed back home one day.
| All
Pictures were taken during Full dress rehearsal |
|
