The Sound, the Stage, the Story

**Karachi Hosts the World Culture Festival 2025**

The Arts Council of Pakistan (Karachi) is bringing together more than 800 artists for the World Culture Festival 2025, to be hosted in the vibrant city by the sea. Gathering voices, movements, and colors from across the world, this event is a grand celebration of diversity through performance, sound, and visual expression. It serves as a showcase of creativity that builds understanding across cultures.

Pakistan’s representation is extensive and varied. Musicians such as Akbar Khamiso Khan, Akhtar Chanal, Asim Azhar, Bilal Saeed, Imran Momina (Emu), Lutaf Ali, Mai Dhai, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Abdullah Khan, Ustad Fateh Ali Khan, Izat Fateh Ali Khan, Ustad Nafees Khan, and Wahab Bugti reflect the richness of the country’s artistic landscape. Spanning folk, classical, and contemporary genres, their performances connect generations and traditions.

Theatre highlights include work by Fawad Khan, Khaled Anam, and Khalid Ahmed, representing Pakistan’s growing stage culture. Adding depth to the festival, classical and contemporary dance showcases by Sheema Kermani and Nighat Chaudhry lend artistic authenticity. Together, these artists capture the vibrant energy of Pakistan’s creative identity, where cultural heritage and self-expression coexist beautifully.

Beyond Pakistan, the festival features a wide range of international talent across disciplines. Groups such as 7 Spices, Anikaya, Ballet Beyond Borders, Barcelona Repertory, Bedaya Group, CirkBizArt, Eurythmy West Midlands, Inkaba Creative Arts House, Khalaha Theatre, Lidia Kopina, Veronika Berashe Vich, Mine Nur Sen, Ozlem, Sahar Assaf, Sakai International, Scalambra, Soky Productions, Spirit Sisters, Stages Theatre Group, The Freedom Theatre, Umunyinya Theatre Company, University of Diyala, and Wava Theatre will bring distinct traditions, languages, and storytelling forms to Karachi audiences.

The global music lineup echoes this diversity, featuring artists such as Adiga Music Band, Arthur Ban, Ashraf Sharif Khan, Diana Baroni, Erica Lauren, Eva Klesse Quartet, Farah Baba Orchestra, Fariya Chaudhuri, Jay-C Val, Kenta Shoji, Liboi, Lucy Tasker, Madan Gopal, Mixwell, Mrs. Georgiana Costea Gluga, Nawal, Ricardo Passos, Sahib Pashazade, Kamran Kerimov, Sarah Dillamore, Shireen Jawad, Sh-oomb, Tommy Hill, Veronika, Vicente, Viktor Marek, and Zouratie Kone.

Their participation promises to add beautiful rhythm and melody to the festival’s collective voice, creating moments where cultural distances fade through shared sound.

Dance remains a key component of the festival’s program. Anisha Thai, CayenaColfolk, Don Sen, Haraka, Lapa Dance Company, Navid Rezvani, and Shaam each bring their unique movement styles to the stage, telling stories through rhythm and motion.

Visual artists such as Adjaratou Mariam Ableusi Ouedraogo, Adrian Bojko, Bubly Barna, Chifumi, Domi Forest, Halldor, Kelechi Nwaneri, King Kesia, Luis M. S. Santos, Mendrika Ratsimandresy, Niharika Momtaz, Onesmus Okamar, Sinenkosi Msomi, Suborna Morsheada, Victoria Santos, and YAZ showcase culture through distinct interpretations of identity and place, expanding the festival’s creative horizons.

Film is represented by Per Fikse, whose work adds a compelling cinematic dimension to the event.

The World Culture Festival 2025 exemplifies how art strengthens connections through empathy and shared imagination. Artistic expression communicates ideas and emotions often beyond words. It records struggle and achievement, reflecting the human desire to create meaning and beauty.

When you experience art, you participate in an ongoing conversation—you learn from differences and recognize shared values across cultures.

Through this gathering, the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi reaffirms that culture is not a privilege but a living element of society. It shapes thought, sustains identity, and supports creativity. The festival reminds us all that art belongs to everyone, and diversity is not a division but a collective strength.

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**Moklani The Last Mohanas: Pakistan’s Historic Win at the Nature Oscars**

*Moklani The Last Mohanas*, directed and produced by Jawad Sharif, has made history as the first Pakistani feature film to win at the Jackson Wild Media Awards 2025. Often called the Nature Oscars, this prestigious event honors excellence in environmental and wildlife storytelling.

The win, announced on October 2 in Jackson, Wyoming, places Pakistan firmly on the global map of documentary cinema.

The film tells the story of the Mohana community of Manchar Lake in Sindh. Known as the boat people of Pakistan, the Mohanas have lived on the waters for centuries. Their lives revolve around the lake’s rhythm, but pollution, shrinking water levels, and the loss of traditional practices now threaten their survival.

Sharif’s direction highlights the beauty of Manchar Lake, revealing the fragility of both nature and culture. The film connects local realities with global environmental concerns, giving voice to marginalized communities that are rarely heard.

Supported by the National Geographic Society and Climate Kahani, the project blends art and advocacy to raise awareness about the cultural and ecological importance of Manchar Lake.

Sharif said after receiving the award, “The award belongs to the Mohana people, whose stories deserve to be seen and heard beyond borders.”

The Jackson Wild Media Awards are among the highest honors in conservation filmmaking. *Moklani* competed in the Global Voices category, which recognizes underrepresented perspectives. According to the official Jackson Wild website, over 500 submissions were reviewed by more than 200 international judges in 2025.

This recognition places *Moklani* alongside leading environmental documentaries worldwide and reflects Pakistan’s growing presence in global storytelling. It also highlights how local filmmakers contribute to vital discussions on climate change and conservation.

For Pakistan, this award represents more than a single success—it symbolizes the growth of the country’s creative industries and their confidence on the international stage.

From Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s Oscar-winning documentaries to the global acclaim of *Joyland*, Pakistani cinema continues to evolve. *Moklani* adds to this progress, proving that the nation’s filmmakers can stand among the best.

Sharif noted on his company’s website, “This award is for every Pakistani storyteller who believes that film can be a tool for empathy and change.” His words echo a wider movement among filmmakers using documentaries to raise awareness and inspire action.

*Moklani*’s success shows that documentary filmmaking in Pakistan is gaining momentum after years of limited support. The genre is now recognized as a powerful medium for storytelling, advocacy, and cultural preservation.

Sharif’s earlier films—*Indus Blues* (2018) and *K2 & The Invisible Footmen* (2015)—earned similar acclaim for spotlighting indigenous art and unsung heroes. *Moklani* continues that mission, exploring the link between environment and identity.

The film’s strength lies in its quiet universality. Rooted in Pakistan but understood worldwide, it documents a community’s resilience and humanity. More than a film, *Moklani* preserves the story of the Mohanas and their water-bound world for future generations, capturing their culture, struggle, and hope amid environmental change.

As Pakistan expands its cultural presence globally, *Moklani* stands as proof of what is possible when storytelling meets purpose. It marks a defining moment for Pakistani cinema and for all those who use art to represent their communities.

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**Now Playing: Spotify Joins ChatGPT to Turn Chats into Playlists**

Imagine chatting about your day and, with a few words, discovering the perfect song to match your mood. That’s now possible as Spotify integrates with ChatGPT, turning everyday conversations into gateways to new music.

This integration is live in English across 145 countries for ChatGPT Free, Plus, and Pro users on both web and mobile apps (iOS and Android).

Whether you’re a free or premium Spotify listener, you can now explore music simply by asking for it. Just link your Spotify account to ChatGPT and start talking. You can ask for playlists to suit your mood, favorite genre, or a specific artist—and with a single tap, listen directly in the Spotify app.

Spotify already plays across more than 2,000 devices including cars, TVs, smart speakers, and home systems. With ChatGPT, that reach extends even further, bringing music discovery into everyday conversation.

Ask for new releases, hidden gems, or songs you once loved; it’s like having a personal DJ who understands not just what you type, but what you mean.

“For listeners, it’s a more direct way to find music. For artists, it provides a broader stage to reach new audiences,” said Sten Garmark, SVP and Global Head of Consumer Experience at Spotify.

By bringing Spotify into ChatGPT, Spotify is creating new ways for fans to connect with artists and creators whenever inspiration strikes. Importantly, Spotify has confirmed that no music, podcasts, or other audio or video content will be shared with OpenAI for training purposes, ensuring that artists and creators remain protected.

Music shapes how we experience moments. This collaboration makes conversation a bridge to sound, where every word can lead to something you love. Describe a mood, your plans, or even a fleeting thought; Spotify in ChatGPT will help you find the right track in seconds.

The process feels effortless, blurring the line between dialogue and discovery—letting words lead you to rhythm.

Spotify in ChatGPT transforms language into listening, keeping the focus on what matters most: music that moves you. It’s not just technology, but a conversation that feels alive and human.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1350275-the-sound-the-stage-the-story