KARACHI: The month-long Pakistan Theatre Festival, organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan, concluded on Sunday after successfully managing to put up more than 30 plays, half a dozen of which were performed by international theatre groups.

Caretaker Chief Minister was the chief guest on the occasion. After giving out shields to the participating directors of the event, he delivered a speech.

He began by congratulating the directors. `I have learned that seven international troupes along with several national[theatre] groups actively participated in this festival. It brings me great joy to acl(nowledge that during their presence here individuals from diverse nationalities had the opportunity to witness the softer side of Pakistan and experience our warm hospitality.

He said the festival took place at a time when our society is grappling with numerous challenges. `I commend the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi for taking the lead in bringing forward positive public entertainment that serves as a beacon of light in times of strife.

`While we`re concluding this event, let`s not forget the power of art that delivers messages that resonate deeply with our hearts and minds,` he said.

After the speech in English, Justice Bagar spoke in Urdu and said he looks at those with great respect who want to see Pakistan as a progressive country. `I wish that we walk together and give a better and prosperous life to our people, and come out of radicalism.Arts Council president Ahmed Shah talked about how the council in his leadershiphasprogressed.

Taleem-i-Balighan staged After the ceremony, the last play of the event, which was Khwaja Moinuddin`s time-tested comedy, Taleem-i-Balighan, was staged.

Directed by Farhan Alam Siddiqui, it was performed by the students of the council`s academy Owais, Farhan Rahim, Ajnish, Ali Raza, Shehryar and Asim.

Taleem-i-Balighan was the only play that was performed for a second time during the event. It could have two reasons: one, it was done very well when it was staged for the first time and had repeat value; two, a Turkish group which was to round off the festival didn`t turn up for unavoidable reasons. Whatever the reason may be, the fact is that the audience enjoyed Siddiqui`s relatively newer version of the 1950s iconic drama.Taleem-i-Balighan is about a class of adult students who for one reason or the other couldn`t acquire proper education and now land in a madressah where they`re taught by a dedicated but readily irritable teacher.

The students include a butcher, a barber, a man who works in a laundry, a milkman and the gun-toting Khan Sahib. It is obvious that they come from socioeconomically less-privileged segment of society so their understanding of things and their ability to grasp ideas leaves quite a bit to be desired. As the teacher gives lessons, this, in a funny way, creates constant misunderstanding.

Siddiqui has tweaked the original script a bit to fit into the modern-day technologyheavy world. The strategy has its pluses and minuses. If on the one hand it keeps the script factually relevant, on the other hand it dilutes the `literariness` of the original text a bit. In the larger scheme of things, it doesn`t matter as long as the audience is enjoying it and as long as the footwork of the actors is sharp.