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The versatile team of Shaiyanne and Sohail Malik recently put together an entertaining presentation on the occasion of the soft launch of IDEAS 2008 at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat Auditorium. A select gathering of dignitaries were present at the inaugural ceremony, presided over by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and attended by the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Pakistan Armed Forces, General Tariq Majeed. In a formal introduction to the achievements of the Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), ceremonial daggers were handed out to various notable personalities as well as a magnificent sword, which was presented to the Prime Minister as a souvenir by the Director General of DEPO, Major General Mohammed Farooq.
Then, it was show time! The presentation comprised of a series of choreographed sequences, which transcended geographical boundaries while tracing the origins of conflict. It gave a thematic picture of the core beliefs and issues facing this nation in scenes, which underscore not just the phenomenal problems facing us as a people but also the extraordinary resolve and determination with which we are striving to overcome them. The task was daunting because the brief given was to cover such varied subjects as the link between weapons and the advancements in technology and how the unarmed and weaker nations are invariably overwhelmed by their opponents. The destabilizing conditions prevailing in our neighboring country to the northwest and the fallout of that jihad and the consequences being faced by us as a frontline state in the war on terror were all depicted, including the continuing commitment shown by Pakistan to the UN’s peace keeping efforts throughout the world.
The dramatic rendition of these varied aspects of the trials and tribulations being suffered by the denizens of this region also displayed the exemplary contribution of the Armed Forces in alleviating their plight. To exemplify the truly international credentials of this platform, they incorporated a unique group called Heartbeat, which comprises people from a variety of other countries who have chosen Pakistan as their home and live here permanently. Their love for this land, which they have adopted as their own, was evident in their performance pieces and truly endeared them to the audience.
This show sought to address the more fundamental aspects of our common humanity, to depict the heroic features of this struggle to always work toward improving the situation, whether born of the ravages of war, civil strife, natural calamities or accidents of fate. At all times, the essence of Pakistan’s role as a moderate peace-loving nation fully committed to the UN’s charter and a responsible member of the comity of nations was successfully stressed.
The backdrops of the stage set impressively displayed rich heritage sites from across the land, such as the Ghandhara civilization friezes and the other ancient temple carvings with the Derawar and Lahore Forts in their imposing grandeur, all placed in complementary contrast to the breathtaking view of the mountains of our northern regions. The costumes were designed by Shaiyanne while the make-up and styling, so typical for each era, was the artistic handiwork of Huma Tahir. The soundtrack was mostly symphonic, while the theme song for IDEAS, specially composed for this event, was charmingly rendered by Zahshanne Malik, providing the most exhilarating finale to the show, with the whole cast on stage waving the Pakistani flag.