55 Graduates Honored at Second Convocation of the School of Visual and Performing Arts
KARACHI: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi officially inaugurated its three-day “Arts Alumni Festival 2026” with a vibrant opening ceremony celebrating creativity, culture, and emerging artistic talent.The festival was inaugurated by renowned humorist and intellectual Anwar Maqsood, along with Arts Council President Muhammad Ahmed Shah, through a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Alumni Art Exhibition.
The opening ceremony was attended by Vice President Arts Council Munawar Saeed, Secretary Ejaz Farooqi, President Karachi Press Club Fazil Jamili, Norwegian artist and filmmaker Karen Houge, celebrated painter Shahid Rassam, Chairman Fine Arts Committee Farrukh Shahab, members of the artistic community, alumni, and a large number of students. Held at the Ahmed Pervez Art Gallery, the Alumni Art Exhibition showcased 31 captivating artworks created by 19 emerging artists, including Jawad Ahmed Jan, Ramsha Khan, Rida Ali Shah, Muhammad Jawad Hassan, Habiba Mujeeb ur Rehman, Kiran Aslam, Kabeer Ata Muhammad, Yasir Noor, Shahzad Baloch, Akash Jivraj, Stephen Yaqoob, Zehra Ali, Taha Abbas, Sani e Zahra, Faha Shabi, Behzad Ahmed Warsi, Asim Naqvi, Zeenat Khan, and Zarnab Baloch. The exhibition drew significant appreciation from art enthusiasts. As part of the festival, the second convocation ceremony of the School of Visual and Performing Arts was held at Auditorium I.
Distinguished guests included Iraq’s Consul General Dr Maher Mjhid Jejan, Director of Alliance Française de Karachi Emmanuel Breurec, Director General of Goethe-Institut Pakistan Andreas Schiekofer, and senior journalist Ghazi Salahuddin. During the convocation, 55 graduating students from various artistic disciplines were awarded degrees and honors.
The graduates included 28 students from the Theatre Department, 17 from Music, 5 from Fine Arts, 3 from Communication Design, and 2 from Textile Design.Gold medals in the Theatre Department were awarded to Zobi Fatima and Alaiza, while Muhammad Hassan Alam and Marhaba Noor received silver medals. In the Music Department, Azhar-ul-Shams received a gold medal, while S.M. Taha Abbas earned a gold medal in Fine Arts. Silver medals were awarded to Aleeza Fatima and Muhammad Shah Rukh Jameel from the Music Department, while Zehra Ali secured silver and Faha Shabi received a bronze medal in Fine Arts.
At the convocation, Ahsan Bari presented a complete introduction to the departments of the School of Visual and Performing Arts. On this occasion, chief guest Anwar Maqsood, while addressing the convocation, said that today is a day of happiness; tomorrow will be the battle for truth in our country, and today you have received your right. He said that his first exhibition was held in 1958, while the first exhibition of Sadequain’s artworks was held in 1957. At that time, the price of his painting was 100 rupees, while Sadequain’s painting was priced at 800 rupees.
Today, he said, after seeing the prices of the students’ paintings, he was astonished. He added that paintings made by the students are present in their homes and that excellent work is being done. He remarked that this festival is truly a day of happiness and that the way the students are working is commendable. He further said that Ahmed Shah is continuing a wonderful journey and that the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi is the only institution where some creative activity takes place every day.Referring humorously to performance and comparison, he said, “NAPA is in front of us, but the Strait of Hormuz has come between Arts Council and NAPA.”
President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah, while addressing the convocation, said that he is proud of his faculty heads. He said they had started the Music Academy with just one individual and that they had witnessed exceptional talent in Fine Arts rarely seen elsewhere. He added that Mahmood Ali Khan initiated the music program and that they are continuously striving to strengthen the institution further. He said that the greatest strength of the institution is its students, who are its real energy.
During the three-day festival, all alumni will showcase their talents. He assured the students that opportunities would be provided to present their talent to the world and that the institution would remain connected with them while continuing to guide them. He further said that in circumstances where parents want their children to choose engineering or medical fields, the students had chosen art, and they are truly brave for learning and adopting art. He added that efforts would be made to create space for them in the market so their worth and recognition could be properly acknowledged.
At the Convocation 2026 ceremony, the audience highly appreciated the magnificent classical performance by Esha Tamseel and the outstanding violin instrumental performance by Kazim and Hassan. The beautiful presentation of the Balochi song “Younis Ghulam Rasool” created a mesmerizing atmosphere and received great applause from the participants.Noman Al Sheikh presented the Sufi kalam “Nara Mastana,” creating a spiritual atmosphere in the gathering.
Meanwhile, in a captivating and traditional storytelling presentation, Owais and emran Farhan entertained the audience with Patras Bukhari’s famous essay “Kuttey” through their impressive narration and expressive dialogue delivery.The first day of the “Arts Alumni Festival 2026” concluded with the theatre play “Dream Girl,” in which renowned Norwegian filmmaker and comedian Karen Houge presented her self-written, engaging, entertaining, and interactive solo show.“
Dream Girl” was a theatre production based on Karen Houge’s real-life experiences. The unique theatre show was presented through storytelling, games, clowning, direct audience interaction, and creative expression. Karen Houge’s unique acting style was highly appreciated by the audience.
The three-day “Arts Alumni Festival” will continue at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi until May 10, featuring theatre, music, classical and folk dance, live performances, art exhibitions, and dialogue sessions.The purpose of the “Arts Alumni Festival” is to bring together former students associated with different academies and departments of the Arts Council, pay tribute to their artistic services, and provide learning opportunities for emerging artists.
