Ehson's My Pakistan Page

Snaps of Culture

Though, Pakistan is a diverse society with different religions and beliefs. The culture of Pakistan is fundamentally a part universal Islamic civilization. It has deep reflections of Islamic ideology and history with magnificent heritage of past which is now a gift to present generations. We are proud of our 7000 years old history, with still preserved ancient cities like Taxila, Mehargarh, Takhtbahai, Harrappa and Moenjo Daro and fabulous museums, we are proving our commitment to our future generations. Pakistani culture can be depicted photographically as:

Islamic

Historic

Music

Arts

Sports

Islamic Culture of Pakistan

Pakistani society is predominantly Muslim Society with 95% Muslim Population.

Figure 1: Represents beautiful calligraphy works in a mosque.
Figure 2: Represents a man praying in Badshahi Mosque, Lahore.
Figure 3: Represents all 99 names of ALLAH, printed on cloth.

Historical Culture of Pakistan

Pakistan civilization more than five millennium old. Immigrants from the northwest through silk route, as well as across the subcontinent, Aryans, Persians, Greeks, Arabs and Mughals came and settled in this region. But after Muhammad Bin Qasim Islam and Islamic traditions took roots and formed the Pakistan's cultural heritage. Pictures, before the advent of Islam are:

5000 years old from Moenjo Daro. Arts and Artisan Paradise with rich cultural heritage is Pakistan.

Fasting Buddha engraved in mountains from Gandhara (North Pakistan). NWFP is the main center of Gandhara civilization.

Musical Culture of Pakistan

Music of Pakistan has all rhythms of its climate, culture and festivals. All the trends of music are present i.e. Sufi poetry and music, Folk, Light, Qawwali etc. Muslim festivals of Eid, Festivals regarding Sufi Saints like Urs of Shah Latif Bhitai, Lal Shahbaz Qalander, Data Gunj Bux Shakkar, Abdullah Shah Ghazi, Zakariya Multani, Horse and Cattle Shows in Lahore and Sibbi, Shandoor Mela, Basant (Spring), Monsoon, Festive of Hindu, Sikh, Christians and Parsis (Deewali, Holi, Basakhi, Christmas, Jashne Noroz etc.) are celebrated with traditional styles. One thing is common in all i.e. nothing but COLORS. Sufi singers Allan Faqir, Mai Bhagi, Alam Lohar, Abida Parveen, in ghazals Farida Khanum, Bilqees Begum, and we have big names of Noorjehan, Nusrat Fateh Ali, Ustad Amanat Ali, Ghulam Ali, Sabri Brothern, Junoon Group, Ali Haider and more.

Figure 1: Folk artists from Punjab, Figure 2: Folk artists from Sindh

Dancing horse in Horse and Cattle show, Lahore. Major spring attraction

A classical dancer on Karachi beach

Art Picture of Pakistan

Arts in Pakistan are today as flourishing as it was some 5000 years ago. Artisans of Pakistan are famous of their works. In painting we have names of Chughtai and Sadequain, in poetry we have Allama Iqbal, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Asadullah Khan Ghalib, in performing arts we have Noorjehan, in playwright we have Khawaja Moinuddin, Kamal Ahmed Rizvi, Anwer Maqsood, Ashfaq Ahmed and in every field of arts there are more names with countless contributions.

Artist work on a bus, very common in Pakistan transport. I am afraid without that the culture will be deprived. Art work on a pickup in Rawalpindi Handicrafts from Multan Inside a Church in Karachi

World famous Mogul miniature painting Beautiful patchwork from Sindh. Called Rallee in Sindh and Baluchistan. Craftsmanship at its best. Old home décor in Lahore.

Sports of Pakistan

Sport future is very bright in Pakistan. We have champions in Cricket, Hockey, Squash, Boxing, Yachting, Snooker and Polo. Cricket is the choice of every Pakistani and Javed Miandad and Imran Khan are the heroes. Hockey is the national game and Hasan Sardar, Kaleemullah and Islahuddin are big names. While in other games our heroes are Jehangir Khan, Roshan Khan, Jansher Khan, Qamar Zaman, Bihram D. Avari, Mohammad Yousuf etc.

Polo matches in Shandoor, Northern Areas during Annual Shandoor Festival. Major summer attraction.

Mountains, Polo and Cycling

Funland, Clifton, Karachi, an increasing passion for kids as well as youngsters.

Hiking is a favorite in Pakistan for pakistanis and tourists.