MAHTAB BASHIR
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
0333 53 63 248
ISLAMABAD
In mid 90’s, for the first time, I heard the blockbuster song “Video killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. Two decades later, my simple cell phone was replaced with a smart phone. In short, the recent decades have seen a dramatically accelerating pace in the development and adoption of new technologies. This rapid technological change is affecting almost every area of the economy, society
and culture. Meanwhile, this advancement has made people of all age and especially youngsters oblivion of traditional games our forefathers used to play.
Games and sports are one of the main sources of entertainment as
well as physical fitness for people of any age. It helps in mental development
of children and adolescents alike. But with this cutting edge technology, the
traditional games of Pakistan – Gulli Danda, Kabaddi, Rassa Kashi, Desi Kushti,
Bantay, Pithu Garam, Kokla Chapati, Chinjo, Chupan Chupai, Ghur Sawari, Ghur
Dance, Naiza Bazi, Rassi Phalangna, Pakran Pakrai, Yassu Panju, Pugan Pugai and
many more are nearly extinct.
There was a time when such games were an essential part of leisure
activities and a source of unparalleled enjoyment. Due to the influence of TV,
mobile phones and video games and inadequacy of playgrounds, today's children
have lost touch with these games. These traditions that used to occupy an
important place in our diverse culture are getting lost.
With an aim to revive these traditional games and to engage modern
youth with them, Islamabad Council for Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG) organized
a traditional sports demonstration at The Serenity Resort, Shah Allah Ditta-
where the natural beauty intrigues.
A string of colourful activities were held on Saturday, where
people from different quarters overwhelmingly participated. A number of foreigners
were also seen at the venue- that is believed to be more than 700 years old.
Youngsters, adolescents, middle aged all found involved in playing
traditional games. Besides, traditional scrumptious food was served to the
guests.
A day-long event was formally launched by Senator Barrister Saif
and Sitara Ayaz who applauded the efforts of Shani Shah- a man behind the idea.
They termed it a brain wave of a genius for revival of traditional games as
well as food. They said these traditional games are not part of the past as
many think; it must be carried on by us for our future posterity.
President, Islamabad Council for Traditional Sports and Games
(ICTSG) and the host, Zeeshan Naqvi says, “To introduce these (traditional) games
to the modern youth is the need of the hour. It will also help lessening the
cultural onslaught. We will revive our cultural and traditional games as we are
working on.”
General Secretary ICTSG Abu Zafar Sadiq says, “In first phase the Council
has organized such events to sensitize youngsters about the cultural games in
the federal capital. In next phase, we are going to spread our campaign at
provincial level in days to come.”
The participants humbly urge all concerned to ensure the partaking of the present generation by creating more opportunities to revive traditional games.
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
0333 53 63 248
ISLAMABAD
In mid 90’s, for the first time, I heard the blockbuster song “Video killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. Two decades later, my simple cell phone was replaced with a smart phone. In short, the recent decades have seen a dramatically accelerating pace in the development and adoption of new technologies. This rapid technological change is affecting almost every area of the economy, society
and culture. Meanwhile, this advancement has made people of all age and especially youngsters oblivion of traditional games our forefathers used to play.
The participants humbly urge all concerned to ensure the partaking of the present generation by creating more opportunities to revive traditional games.
