"My experience this weekend has been one of amazement, at the sheer talent we have in so many categories, while also depicting our diversity. This program is the impetus for creating a whole dimension of creative expression for the Jamat, exploring new forms and media, while also retaining and appreciating our traditional cultural heritage. Decades from now, we will reflect on this Diamond Jubilee initiative as a turning point that transformed our Jamat as a community that has artistic talent to offer, in addition to our civic contributions.” -Ismaili Council for USA President Barkat Fazal, at the National Jubilee Arts Festival, Pasadena, California, April 1, 2018.
Talent indeed! In a continuous two-day musical extravaganza, the Jamat was treated to visual and acoustic delights as song, dance, poetry, and film revolved onstage, to thunderous applause. From solemn and serious film topics, to music that had people clapping and tapping their feet, never before had they witnessed such an extensive display of creativity, one that surprised everyone involved, from the organizers to the artists themselves.
The National Jubilee Arts Festival marks the ninth in a series of events organized in the USA to identify finalists for a new international Diamond Jubilee program. Organized in several countries, this initiative aims to highlight the global Jamat’s artistic talents and cultures. Following the regional US festivals, judges selected performers and artwork to be showcased at a national event organized at the City of Pasadena's Convention Center. Appropriately, the complex is also known for hosting the America's Got Talent show, and the city is renowned for its Rose Bowl stadium and the annual Rose Bowl parade.
With 23 films, over 200 visual arts submissions, 127 performances, and participants aged seven to seventy-five, this Festival attracted over 2000 local and 750 traveling Jamati members from all over the country. The judging panel included 18 distinguished individuals, several from outside the Jamat.
The Jubilee Arts initiative's objective is to develop an environment to nurture, promote, and exhibit each Jamati members creative talent and to showcase the submissions selected at the International Jubilee Arts Festival in Lisbon, in July. It provides a platform enabling the Jamat to identify regional talent, with institutional support, and sharing it with the rest of the global Jamat. The program is expected to continue past this Diamond Jubilee year and the hope is that it will have an impact similar to that of the Jubilee Games for the Jamat's athletic abilities, and focus on health and fitness.
“Throughout history, Jubilee initiatives have served as a catalyst to execute new ideas that better prepare the Jamat for the future," said Council for USA President Barkat Fazal. He added, "Creative expression provides us with a special unique language, another form of communication, one that transcends borders and boundaries."
A borderless world of universal art appreciation was evident this weekend's inaugural event, Ismaili artists from around the country participated in one of three anchor events: art gallery, film festival, and talent showcase, through the lens of our spirituality, our gratitude, our values or our journey. Each anchor event aimed to identify talented artists and their expressions using one of the four creative prompts: legacy, time, devotion and aspiration.
The performances over the weekend exceeded the audience's expectations, with most coming on both days to ensure they did not miss the stellar shows. With sound and light effects that resembled a Hollywood production, each performance drew rounds of applause, with viewers expressing delight at the quality of each item. There was something for everyone to appreciate and enjoy, from watching youngsters doing martial arts dances to seniors enjoying the spotlight as part of the Southeast Matki Band.
"I am actually very emotional about how we are so proactive about nurturing the talent we have in our Jamat," said professional actor Rizwan Manji, who was in the audience. He added, "As for the event itself, it feels very well organized, and the fact that they put this together in such a short period of time is awesome. I am having a blast—my daughter is performing, so as a father I am excited about that, and it’s been a fantastic event for my entire family.”
Sixteen year old Inaya Bhai captured the hearts of the audience with her traditional Kathak dance, a passion she has been following since she was nine years old. Her flawless rhythmic routine was followed by a changed tempo, as Parastu Aydarsho's film focused on aspiration and its significance for life. She always wanted to create films but says that "in Gorno-Badakhshan, Tajikistan, opportunities for learning about film are limited." She came to the USA in 2014, and enrolled at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles, with support from the Council. Think Big, Dream Big, is her first short film. Her entry shared her experiences of struggle and overcoming difficulties through persistence and with her family's constant support, touching an emotional chord in the viewers.
The notion of a global Jamat was illustrated by the group Zikr, which performed a song from their Diamond Jubilee CD, Reflections. The band members are from the USA, Tajikistan, India, Pakistan, and Hunza. They presented a new arrangement of their song with Sufi, ethnic and fusion elements. Said band lyricist Kamal Haji: “This Festival has done wonders for us. We came out of our comfort zones and tried creating something different, original, and unique to celebrate this momentous year. We also loved meeting and networking with artists from all over the US. It was great to see younger artists creating original content."
Jeena Mastandrea, a judge in the Talent Showcase segment, remarked, "I was so impressed to see a vast community full of tradition, devotion, and spirit, willing to share and celebrate their creative talents.” A singer, actor and dancer since the age of 13, with her first musical performance as Jasmine in Aladdin, she has participated in more than 15 productions, most notably as a host in Pepperdine University's Songfest for two years in a row. Her favorite performance this weekend was a mime piece, Save the Water, saying it was the most creative performance she had seen this weekend, one that was impactful, without containing a single spoken word.
In the extensive Art Gallery, viewers examined the artwork closely, and conversed with artists on hand, eager to explain the inspiration behind their creations. From sculptures to installation art, oil paintings, and drawings to photographs, there was a smorgasbord of visual delights for all. Nizar MacNojia created a buzz, with his piece titled, Time and Knowledge, explaining that “Painting is not just about throwing colors on a canvas but it is an expression of one’s own reflection.”
"The variety of media, techniques, and talent at the exhibition is exciting and inspiring to me as an artist, but also overwhelming as judge, as the quality and range of expressions is truly amazing," said Visual Arts Judge Gulzar Poonja. And judging by the comments of the visitors, and the amount of time they spent in the gallery, it was clear they were captivated by the Jamat's talent.
The Festival also allowed an opportunity for spectators and artists to personally engage with art, through workshops and interactive sessions. Many, especially children, were seen walking around with painted tiles and other art, allowing them to feel that they too were part of the weekend's activities.
The Artists' Mixer, on the Friday evening before the opening of the event, allowed participants to meet each other and network. The following night's Artists' Parade demonstrated the number of people involved in creative aspect of the weekend extravaganza, while countless other volunteers were involved in setting up the halls, and in audio-visual, photography, and writing capacities, to record the activities.
At the closing ceremonies, each artist who participated was recognized with a presentation of a badge by the Council leaders, and also by a surprise visitor—Calgary's Mayor, Naheed Nenshi—who toured the art gallery and saw some of the performances. "What a wonderful program, bringing together faith with the transformative power of art,” he said. He also added, "the talent on display was truly remarkable. Congratulations to all the volunteers and organizers, as well as to the artists."
Ismaili Council for USA Vice President Zahir Ladhani was rarely without a smile all weekend, as he clearly enjoyed both the performances and the audience's response. “The National Jubilee Arts Festival represents talent brought together from our seven regions," he said and "it has been a phenomenal experience, because we are seeing talent within our Jamat which I never knew existed—in all the genres—that reflect the diverse cultures that represent our Jamat."
"Just imagine what will happen when we bring that talent from another 19 National Councils together. If this is any indication, it will be fantastico,” the Vice President remarked, looking ahead with optimism, and practicing his Portuguese.
Gauging the audience reaction to the weekend event, it would appear that a majority is clearly intent on visiting Lisbon and attending the International Jubilee Arts festival, affirming the success of the initiatives objectives.
Lisboa Proximo!
