ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Culture and National Heritage Syed Jamal Shah has said that despite having a limited time with enormous challenges he wanted to contribute to the system while bringing indigenous cultural education materials to transform them into the form of cartoons, animations and beautiful illustrated books that would be available for the entire country.
The minister said this during an exclusive interview with the WENews. Apart from his personal achievements, the minister also talked about his role as an actor, sculptor, and director and highlighted some of the recent cultural engagements with officials from different countries to promote multilateral cultural bonds with them.
Jamal Shah said that it was unfortunate that most of our children knew about each and every rhyme, idiom, parable etc. in English, but they didn’t know even a single rhyme in their mother tongue. Therefore “I wanted to focus on the basics, where every ethnic group in the country has an access and literary understandings of their mother tongue with a special focus on children and 65 percent youth of the country”, the minister said, adding that for the purpose a two days National Conference would be commenced from 19th of this month, where writers, poets and other literary representatives from the local languages in the country would take part.
Regarding establishing an Art City in Islamabad, the federal minister said, that would be a mega project, however for now he wanted to revitalize the existing culture. For the purpose he held a meeting with Chairman CDA (Capital Development Authorities) and discussed the initial work along with the renovation of the architectural buildings.
Cultural Engagements with Other Countries
The Interim Federal Minister also highlighted about his engagements with delegates from different countries for promoting bilateral cultural and heritage bonds adding that in recent days he met with officials and ambassadors of Iran, Türkiye, and some of the Central Asian Republics to explore possibilities in promoting art and culture with these nations.
Jamal Shah as The Next Umer Sharif
Responding a question about people calling him the Next Umer Sharif (legendary Egyptian Actor) in the 80s, he, said no doubt he was a great fan of the legendary artist, he wanted to serve his people and the country, which he did in a better way while being here in Pakistan.
Jamal Shah in Hollywood
After people called him the next Umer Sharif, Jamal Shah was offered to work in a BBC TV serial and by Hollywood, however, he refused these roles. On his refusal, the multi-talented Jamal Shah responded that no doubt it was proud moment for him, however, he had roots in Quetta, therefore he didn’t want to scandalize his family to work such bold scenes. Another reason was he founded an art department in Baluchistan, established Hunarkadha in Islamabad and made scores of other contributions here, which he thought were more important for him to do for his country.
Paley Shah and King Ghazi Amanullah Khan
Talking about his favourite and challenging drama, Jamal Shah said that Paley Shah in the 80s was one of his favorite dramas and role he performed where he paid tribute to the heroic character, an ethnic Pashtun leader of a tribal group Paley Shah (Paley Khan) who fought against the British Raj in 1930. He added that the then president of Afghanistan Dr Najeeb was very much impressed after watching the serial and even offered him a role to pay tribute to the revolutionary leader of Afghanistan Ghazi Amanullah, however, the project remained incomplete due to the sad demise of Dr Najeeb.
The minister also talked about his artwork including the famous sculptures he designed, where human beings sit on the ground, with heads down and holding ears, a famous school punishment to become MURGHA. He said that it was unfortunate that people in Pakistan were still like that Murgha while lacking the freedom of expression.
Responding to another question regarding news about the delay in the election, he said the election might be held within a period of six months. A complete video interview can be watched here.
