INTRODUCTION

Chakwal Arts Council

Chakwal is among the most historically enriched regions, highly decorated with numerous landscape of geological and archeological value that may be of great attraction for the arts, history and cultural showcasing. Since its existence this culturally rich region has been neglected and deprived regarding cultural and fine arts development and initiatives.

Chakwal Arts Council was established in 2012 by artists and art lovers of District Chakwal. It started to operate as a volunteer project and became a registered organization in 2016. In the past few years, Chakwal Arts Council has gone from a small entity to a restructured and much larger agency which is actively carving out its path as a cultural leader for the sector. Chakwal Arts Council has also played a prominent role in events such as the Jeep Rally, Mega Family festival, Fashion Expo and various other festivals and days of importance including National and religiously significant days. Professional, amateur and upcoming artists of Chakwal now have a local platform where they can showcase and polish their art at provincial and national levels. No other district-level Arts Council has achieved as much as Chakwal Arts Council with such limited resources in such a limited time. Chakwal Arts Council has been successful to approach artists those have left Chakwal and settled elsewhere to explore further opportunities.

Chakwal Arts Council has been a source of motivation for the various walks of fine arts e.g. Painting, Calligraphy, Sketching, Drawing, Handicrafts, Fashion Designing, Textile Designing, Poetry, Story writing, Music (Singing, Musical instruments) and has been able to introduce new talent and pay tribute to the senior artists of the region.

Finally Chakwal Arts Council led the team of young artists of the district to the Punjab Talent Hunt 2021, and was able to secure first position in Rawalpindi Division and Fourth position in Punjab Province. Due to the services provided by the Chakwal Arts Council the artists from this region have got recognition at national and international level. Musicians from Chakwal have been picked up by world famous Coke Studio (Pakistan). Chakwal Arts Council is working diligently to bring the folk art of Chakwal to the mainstream and provide the opportunities to the artists at their doorsteps.

List of Major events hosted by Chakwal Arts Council

Family Health Festival 2012 / 2016 / 2017

With Health Department and School of Nursing.

Annual festival for families.

Mega Family Festival 2014/2016/2017

In collaboration with Chamber of Commerce Chakwal. Arranged the stage activities and cultural show, promoted local artists and presented participation certificates.

Fashion Expo 2014

A cooperate sector event, Chakwal Arts Council took the stage and entertained the audience.

Mela Haider Shah

Provided stage to the local artists to perform for local audience and introduced high quality music

and recreation facility for the first time in rural area.

Mela Khair Pur

Presented local artists on the stage of Chakwal Arts Council and provided earning facility for more than 40 people and entertainment for the local rural audience.

Mela Padhshan

Stage activities with local artists and folk music.

World Women Day 2013/ 2014 /2015/ 2016

Annual event celebrated in collaboration with School of Nursing, Chakwal. Promoting gender equality.

World Environment Day 2014/2016

A community event to build awareness regarding environment.

International Migratory Birds Day 2015

An awareness event at Kallar Kahar Lake with Pakistan Wildlife Foundation and the community.

Painting Exhibition 2019

Display of local painters in University of Chakwal, with Chamber of Commerce Chakwal as Chief Guest.

Chakwal Jeep Rally 2018

Dirt Track Jeep Rally at Dharabi Dam with TDCP, with musical and cultural shows.

Army Public School Day 2017/2018/2019/2020

Conducted students rally and condolence events annually

World Human Rights Day 2014/2015/2016/2017/2018/2019/2020

Annually celebrated with Baheria Foundation School System Faculty and Students.

World Tourism Day 2018/2020

Tourism promotion event with Tourism Development Cooperation of Punjab at Kattas Raj Temples and University of Chakwal.

Punjab Talent Hunt 2021

Secured first position in Rawalpindi Division and fourth position in Final at Lahore.

Chakwal Arts Council

is pledged to promote and preserve the fine arts related activities, individuals and institutions for the district Chakwal. Therefore it is decided by the members of the committee that in future Chakwal Arts Council will be generating resources to provide the artists of Chakwal with a finally equipped production house which may enable them to preserve and promote their talents with standard technologies and trainings.

Second it is proposed to establish a publishing house for the local writers and manage a distribution system to reach the local publications to the readers across the globe.

Further Chakwal Arts Council has plans to conduct recreational events for the community that is majorly rural. Musical, cultural, theatrical programs with focus on social awareness to be held in various parts of the district. Such events with local artists will support to bring economic stability to the deprived local arts community.

Chakwal Arts Council is working on compiling the Gazetteer of Chakwal district that may be published on paper and online. Social networking and visibility on web and media will improve the economic drive in the region.

Tourism is the most important upcoming industry of Chakwal. Chakwal Arts Council has plans to organize cultural events to promote indigenous traditional values and provide meaningful tourism to the guests and involve local community to provide services and entertainment.

Chakwal is enriched with saints and shrines and a very busy calendar of traditional and religious festivals and events across the year. Chakwal Arts Council will be taking every opportunity to provide healthy entertainment to the community and possible economic stability to the artists of Chakwal the region.