Sunday was a day of poetry, music, theater and dance, as the
Pakistani Student Association of UCLA presented its fourth annual
culture show.
The show, held for the first time at Royce Hall, was titled
“Yahaan se Pechaan,” which translated from Urdu as
“From here to Identity.”
This theme of a dual identity was maintained throughout the
show, with several of the dances, skits and poetry readings
presenting a blend of traditional Pakistani and contemporary
American cultures.
The show opened with a sole musician playing the Pakistani
national anthem on an electrical guitar, with the entire audience
standing up in respect.
This mix of cultures was maintained with the different dances,
many of them employing traditional moves set to the tunes of
Michael Jackson and M.C. Hammer, with some, like the infamous
“Pakstreet Boys,” even parodying American pop
culture.
According to Farha Haq, a third-year international developmental
studies student, and a performer in several dances and the skit,
this mix of cultures is something that all Pakistani students must
face.
“Pakistani people in America have to conform to different
identities,” she said.
Haq added that the character she played in the show was one
struggling to find her own identity as a Pakistani Muslim living in
the United States.
Majid Haquani, a third-year biochemistry student and a performer
in several dances, agreed with Haq.
“Our identity is originally from Pakistan, and yet it is
connected to our American upbringing,” he said.
He added that this show was a way to connect both cultures,
merging both Pakistani and American identities.
In his opening speech, Ehsan Zaffar, the president of PSA,
talked about the importance of maintaining cultural identity, while
leading a successful life in the United States.
“We are not Pakistani Americans, we are Pakistanis living
in America,” he said.
Farah Awan, a third-year political science student, and the
co-director of the show, believes that the purpose of this night
lays in bridging the identity gap between American and Pakistani
culture.
“People are confused as to where they fit in between their
two identities,” he said. “Everyone is trying to find
middle ground, trying to hold both identities, and make them their
own.”
Awan said she believes the cultural show plays a big role in
helping to maintain and integrate both American and Pakistani
identities, while bringing students from different schools closer
together.
“UCI and UCR students are also performing in the show, and
they are in the same dances with UCLA students, which leads to a
feeling of togetherness,” she said.
Students and performers were not the only ones emphasizing the
importance of the show.
“You know where you’re going, only if you know where
you came from,” said Raana Rahim, the consul general of
Pakistan, who was present at the show.
She added that this show fulfills both an entertaining purpose
and an educational goal, showing real Pakistani culture, albeit in
a very entertaining way.
“Pakistan is only in the news in connection with politics
““ the culture show is a wonderful opportunity to introduce
Pakistani culture, while also being a celebration of what Pakistan
is,” she said.