Pakistan Cultural Festival in Roseville Showcases Country’s Rich Heritage and Traditions
By Ras H. Siddiqui
Pakistani origin community members located in the Greater Sacramento, California suburban outskirts of Roseville, Rocklin, Folsom, Granite Bay, and El Dorado Hills finally held their long delayed (due to COVID-19) Cultural Festival in Downtown Roseville (from 1 to 6 pm) on Saturday May 14, 2022. It was an event organized with family participation in mind and intentionally not inward looking.
Over the years many larger gatherings (numbering in the thousands) celebrating Pakistan have been held in this part of California. The region can boast about having possibly one of the oldest Pakistani (and British Indian) communities in the United States. Some of the people present here could trace their family roots back about 110 years in this country.
But as hinted at above, this was not just our excuse to get together. Pakistani Independence Day events in Sacramento are often huge and focus on a more internalized community celebration. This cultural festival was different in two ways: 1) It looked outwards towards the non-Pakistani or mainstream community, and 2) It focused on the quality of cultural exchange, and not on quantity. The main invitees were friends, co-workers, and anyone curious to learn about Pakistan and its people. And that effort to inform others transcended the social media this time and started off with local television Fox 40 News on May 11 th and then a Good Day Sacramento program airing on the morning of May 14 th on The CW31 channel. The reporter, Al donned an Ajrak (hand printed scarf) and a traditional Sindhi cap (topi) during the CW31 TV interview of some of the festival organizing team members and performers.
What is Pakistani culture? The land that encompasses Pakistan’s geography today has been the passageway through which Afghans, Arabs, Persians, and representatives of just about every Central Asian power (Aryans, Scythians, Turks, Mongols, etc.) came to India and settled since the route to Delhi passed through this region. Only the English worked their way from the East (Bengal) to make India the Jewel in their crown. The rest came from the northwest (through the Khyber Pass) or current Baluchistan and crossed the Indus River to reach the fertile plains of the Ganges. The Pakistan of today is predominantly Islamic, but its people are ancient from the over 5,000-year-old Indus Valley Civilization (e.g., Mohenjo Daro and Harappa) to the Punjabis, Pashtuns, Sindhis and Baluchis of today. And one can add to this population migrants, predominantly Urdu-speakers who came to Pakistan from India during the Partition of 1947 and mostly settled in Sindh. Plus let us not forget the Kashmiris. These are just the large groups. Pakistan also has minority Hindus, Parsis (Zoroastrians) and the pagan Kafirs of the Hindus Kush.
The land varies from the hot desert of the southeast and equally hot plateau to the west to some of the finest cool alpine landscapes in the world in the north (the second highest mountain in the world K2 is located there). Yes, there are cultural similarities with India, but Pakistan, a country of 220 million people today has its own wonderful peculiarities, historical sites, amazing food, music, and very colorful fashions. It also has a highly educated segment within its population which makes up successful immigrant communities in many Western countries, including the United States.
The most unfortunate reality is that Pakistan is not known for its entrancing attributes described above but is often perceived as a center of trouble. And the only way that American Pakistanis can even hope to change that perception is to reach out to the wider community in this country and share their heritage, hospitality, food, music, and rich culture with them. Holding a Pakistan Culture Festival is one great way of sharing who we are.
Walking into the festival area one could easily notice that a lot of work had gone into details. Both the American and the Pakistani flags were flying high. Many banners were richly decorated and welcoming. The use of kites in the décor was very tasteful. A handful of vendors were selling the latest fashions from the old country. And there was a lot more.
A young lady was selling her art (including a painting of a recent President). And yes, there are many young and aspiring artists in our community. Another booth was selling some unique calligraphic artwork delicately done on resin. There was also costume jewelry for sale and Mehendi (Henna) designs being applied. Two major food booths were there doing a brisk business (East West Foods serving fusion Kabab Rolls and Spicy Burgers and the Town & Country Event Center serving Chicken Tikka and more traditional Pakistani food). An old college friend came by, and we luckily hit the chicken and Naan before they were completely sold out. And since it was a hot day, the Kulfi ice cream supply did not last till the end of the event either.
The formalities started fashionably late with event emcee Asif Haq welcoming everyone. Asif gave brief introduction of the local Pakistani community which is made of doctors, engineers, small businesspeople and many others. He pointed out that Pakistanis continue to be major contributors to healthcare (many were, and remain, at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic). We save lives, work in the energy industry, and help to build bridges, highways, homes and hospitals in our state and country, he said. He added that our community also believes in the spirit of volunteering for the public good. We are philanthropists and give money and time to many charitable causes. We contribute to the economy by opening businesses and creating jobs, paying taxes, and much more. We keep the innovation and enterprise spirit strong. This is our home. We are proud to be Pakistani Americans, said Haq. He also added that we are doing this to show our love for Pakistan and its culture. We think that this is the best way to introduce our culture to our American friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
The first person to perform on stage at the event was Dr Nasiruddin who is a well-known Eastern Banjo player in our community. The good doctor belted out three or four Pakistani folk tunes which were appreciated. He was followed by music teacher Shaiq Chishty who played a couple of superb numbers on the flute. Shaiq was next joined by his very talented daughter Shahrukh Chishty just before a short break. Next up was a wonderful bouquet of folk dances representing the four provinces of Pakistan (Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh) by the ladies from our community dressed in colorful ethnic attire which drew a resounding applause. And a children’s or youth dance to a famous Pakistani tune closed the first segment of the event.
The second segment saw the return of the banjo and the flute but added a wonderful segment during which sisters Shahrukh Chishty (sitar) and Mahrukh Chishty (on tabla) added a wonderful touch of class to classical South-Asian music. Another lady’s dance sequence with a higher tempo closed this segment. Great job ladies!
Last but not the least was the Sufi Music segment led by Ms Riffat Sultana who is continuing a musical tradition passed down from generation to generation in her family for hundreds of years originating in the courts of the Mughal emperors. Accompanied by Richard Michos on lead guitar, Farhan Shaikh on bass guitar and Heera Gurdeep on percussion (tabla and dhol). Riffat “Rocked the Plaza” by dipping deep into Pakistan’s musical Qalandar soul. And the audience participated wholeheartedly!
To conclude, one notes that this way of presenting Pakistani culture has set a new standard of excellence in the Sacramento region. We can take a special pride in revealing to America that our doctors are also talented banjo players, artists and also love to dance! The team that put this event together and executed it deserves our kudos. And for those who missed this festival, let us request a repeat soon.
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