Simran Siraj

KARACHI: An original movement-based play from Pakistan, Tayraak, won the Best Script Award at the 6th Kish International Short Theater Festival in Iran, as the contemporary theater in the country continued to make waves internationally.&nbsp; The 6th Kish International Short Theater Festival, directed by Abbas Najari, was held from October 18 to 21. Hosted on Iran&rsquo;s scenic Kish Island, the festival focused on new forms of theater, such as caf&eacute;-theater, beach-theatre and experimental staging, with this year&rsquo;s themes including family and social vitality, the environment, peace and unity. Tayraak received an overwhelming response from audiences and jury members at the festival, which brings together young theater practitioners from across the world. One of the festivalgoers shared pictures from the movement piece in an Instagram post that read, &ldquo;Their performance was silent, [but] their hands spoke harshly to us.&rdquo;&nbsp; Directed by Karachi-based theater practitioner and movement coach Ashmal Lalwany, the play was written and performed by Suleman Roomi, Hashir Faraz, and Farhan Ahsan.&nbsp; In a post on his Instagram account, Lalwany announced the news of winning the Best Script Award and said that he was &ldquo;proud&rdquo; of his team.&nbsp; While speaking to Pakistan TV Digital, Lalwany said that the absence of dialogue helped the piece transcend barriers.&nbsp; &ldquo;Because our play was purely based on movement and not language, we had the audience&rsquo;s full attention,&rdquo; he shared. &ldquo;Most of the other plays were in Persian, and the audience was very discerning. You could tell when they didn&rsquo;t like something. But with Tayraak, because there were no dialogues, they were entirely focused on the actors&rsquo; movement.&rdquo;&nbsp; He said that &ldquo;whenever they caught something meaningful, I could see people reacting, turning to each other and saying, &lsquo;Oh, this happened.&rsquo;&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;That was a beautiful feeling. You don&rsquo;t need language to put your art across; you just need emotion, feeling, and honesty,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;The director credited his team for their dedication to the script and their ability to convey emotion through movement alone. &ldquo;We were always praised for our expression. Whatever praise we received after the performance was for the fact that there were no words, yet we delivered such an impactful story,&rdquo; he added. A play which unfolds entirely through movement, Tayraak delves into the themes of survival, growth, and the courage to break free from inherited fears.&nbsp; The piece follows three individuals navigating rigid family values, personal trauma, and suffocating expectations, portraying how pain can both hinder and inspire healing and self-discovery. The play was first developed as part of a movement class by the Arts Council Theatre Academy (ACTA) and draws on the performers&rsquo; real experiences with silence, resilience, and emotional inheritance. The award marks a significant moment for Pakistan&rsquo;s performing arts scene, highlighting the growing presence of young practitioners on international platforms.&nbsp;

Culture

Play receives overwhelming response audiences, jury members; director says absence of dialogue helped piece transcend barriers. 




Pakistani play ‘Tayraak’ wins best script at 6th Kish International Short Theatre Festival in Iran

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Against the romantic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and the gentle hum of Parisian chatter, the aroma of garam masala and sizzling kebabs lured passersby into a world far from the Champs-&Eacute;lys&eacute;es. The International Village of Gastronomy had transformed the heart of Paris into a global feast, and the Pakistani pavilion quickly became its crown jewel. Dressed in green and white, and lined with vibrant images of Lahore&#39;s food streets and Hunza&#39;s serene landscapes, the Pakistani stand offered more than just food. It served a slice of home for expats and a taste of discovery for curious locals. From steaming plates of chicken biryani, each grain fragrant and perfectly spiced, to golden-brown vegetable samosas with a satisfying crunch, the display was both a culinary and cultural celebration. Sweet treats like gulab jamuns and jalebi, soaked in syrup and glistening under the French sun, delighted visitors from every continent. And when thirst struck, guests reached for classic Pakistani drinks &mdash; Rooh Afza, served chilled with a splash of lemon, or refreshing mango juice that reminded many of tropical summers. The star behind this gastronomic diplomacy was Ambassador Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, who inaugurated Pakistan&rsquo;s participation at the event. Standing alongside international guests and French dignitaries, she welcomed the founder of the event, Anne-Laure Descombin, and thanked her for including Pakistan in such a vibrant cultural showcase. &ldquo;This pavilion highlights not just our culinary traditions, but the spirit of Pakistan,&rdquo; Baloch said, smiling as she greeted guests and posed for photos with plates in hand. &ldquo;Diverse, warm, and full of flavor.&rdquo; The festival, now a staple in the Parisian cultural calendar, brings together over 60 global and regional cuisines, drawing more than 10,000 visitors daily. Held just steps from the Seine River, the four-day event mixes gastronomy with storytelling, inviting embassies and chefs to build bridges between cultures through their signature dishes. Curious visitors leaned in to ask about secret spice blends and family recipes passed down generations. &ldquo;Is this saffron?&rdquo; asked one French tourist, pointing at the golden hue of the biryani. &ldquo;No,&rdquo; laughed the chef, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s turmeric, our sunshine spice.&rdquo; As part of Pakistan&rsquo;s broader public diplomacy efforts in France, the event served more than food. It showcased the country&rsquo;s rich cultural identity. From the bustling food markets of Karachi to the home kitchens of Peshawar, the variety of dishes offered at the pavilion spoke volumes of the country&#39;s regional diversity. Many attendees were surprised by the balance of flavor. Heat from the chilies, depth from slow-cooked meats, and sweetness in desserts, all harmonized in perfect rhythm. By sunset, as the Eiffel Tower began to sparkle in the Parisian twilight, the Pakistani pavilion still buzzed with activity. The crowd lingered, some sipping on Rooh Afza, others enjoying their first taste of channa chaat or seekh kebab, while music played softly in the background. Baloch commended her team for their dedication, calling the event &ldquo;a celebration of cultural connection,&rdquo; adding that &ldquo;moments like these remind us how food can unite people, beyond borders and languages.&rdquo; In a city that prides itself on gastronomy, Pakistan&rsquo;s flavors didn&rsquo;t just compete, they captivated.

Food

Pakistan’s vibrant cuisine dazzled Parisians at the International Gastronomy Village near the Eiffel Tower, drawing thousands of eager food lovers.

Articles tagged with "Pakistani Culture"

Pakistani play ‘Tayraak’ wins best script at 6th Kish International Short Theatre Festival in Iran

Biryani to Rooh Afza: Pakistani cuisine steals the spotlight in Paris