by Manzoor Alam Balakoti.
Karachi: The 15th day of the 39-day “World Culture Festival 2025” featured two theatre plays, a dance and music workshop, film screenings, and a special session titled “Creative Freedom in Art,” attracting significant attention from participants. Palestinian dancer Rawan Sameer Salamah raised the slogan “Free Palestine” during the workshop and also performed the traditional Palestinian dance Dabke while wearing a keffiyeh. Earlier, the day began with an Open Mic Session of international artists on the theme “Creative Freedom in Art.” It was followed by the screening of “French Shorts,” a dance and music workshop, the Sindhi theatre play Hojamalo, and the Urdu theatre play Kuttay.
Participants in the open mic session included artists from Argentina, Hong Kong, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, Croatia, France, Thailand, and Pakistan. Renowned Pakistani musician Ahsan Bari moderated the discussion. During the session, Argentine musician Diana Baroni remarked that with technological advancement, learning has shifted online, and humans are becoming increasingly dependent on machines “We are slowly dying. We must unite to outsmart AI and bring discipline to change the world.”Kenyan guitarist Komora said that AI is destroying human creativity “What takes us eight months to create, AI produces in eight seconds. Art does not need AI, and whoever relies on AI is not an artist.”Kenyan singer Liboi added that AI is affecting artists just as it affects ordinary people. Croatian choreographer Dr Tina said that AI is taking away jobs and artistic identity: “I am a choreographer, and I do not take help from AI because it destroys creativity.” Malaysian theatre coach Bella Rahim advised artists to trust their hard work instead of AI: “If AI tells you what you already know, leave it. We must stand united as a community.”
Kenyan visual artist Okamar Onesmus said human life is becoming mechanical: “We are drifting away from books. AI should be used for information, but its comparison is necessary.”From the Kuwaiti group, Palestinian dancer Rawan Sameer Salamah said she had seen many artworks that lacked real emotion and story. Ahsan Bari expressed joy that artists from around the world were gathered under one roof, calling it a positive sign for the future of humanity. The film screening segment titled “French Shorts” held at Auditorium II The session featured four films short films: 2 from France and 2 from Pakistan. from French short film “Lucy” by French director Abdul Alim Musyafa, “A Young Sofiane “ Directed by Fabien Ara, Pakistani film “Farishta “ Directed by Nabhan Shah Karim,” Kareegar Aurat” Directed by Nadir Shah Khan and Ibn Aas Muhammad. The Dance Workshop was conducted by Kuwait’s LAPA Dance Company, attended by Arts Council President Mohammad Ahmed Shah, Dance Academy Director Mani Chao, Jahanzeb Shah, singer Arman Rahim, Palestinian artist Rawan Sameer Salamah, and Croatian choreographer Dr Tina. Dr Tina, as chief choreographer, trained students in professional dance techniques. She emphasized preparing the body properly before dancing, avoiding excessive exertion, and “feeling the dance from the Heart.” During the session, Rawan Sameer Salamah raised the slogan “Free Palestine” and performed the traditional Dabkeh dance. Participants showed deep interest in Palestinian culture and its dance of resistance.
The Sindhi Theatre Play “Ho Jamalo” Written by Ayoob Gaad Lateef and directed by Ali Gul Mallah, the play featured Amjad Gul Soomro, Wahid Raza, Faheem Mughal (Pakhi), Laiba Baloch, and Ali Gul Mallah.T he story revolves around a middle-class man who avoids hard work but longs to be famous like “Jamali.” Pressured by his father’s taunts, he starts a YouTube channel and features his wife in songs, causing his father-in-law to take her away. When he attempts suicide, people rescue him — leading to reconciliation as the community celebrates by singing Ho Jamalo. The day concluded with the Urdu Theatre play “Kuttay”, directed by Muhammad Ali, featuring Rasheed Ahmed, Zubair Baloch, Mati Mukhtlif, Faisal Khaliq, Ali Raza, Bharat Kumar, and Abdullah Dar. The play is a socio-political satire portraying the instincts of power, greed, and survival within humans. It highlights how oppressive systems crush humanity, forcing people to compromise their dignity and values merely to survive — exposing the ongoing struggle between human beings and the systems that govern them. The World Culture Festival continues to host vibrant cultural activities daily, with enthusiastic participation from Karachi’s residents. The global festival will run at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi until 7 December.
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