Rohail Hyatt, Farhad Humayon & Faisal Rafi's reaction to the end of NAPA

The industry puts it weight behind NAPA

When The National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA) was asked to vacate Hindu Gymkhana by the Ministry of Culture, it sent shock waves through the industry. NAPA has become a part of Karachi's cultural landscape and is a hugely vibrant part of it.

When Instep spoke with various people associated with the arts the reactions were strong...


Rohail Hyatt

I totally support NAPA and what it stands for. But if the foundation is built wrongly than it has to be corrected. I don't know if NAPA stands on a land that has been taken over from a certain community and if that is the case than it should be rectified.

However, NAPA should be given an alternative location. They shouldn't be evacuated to the roadside.

There is a huge area behind Arts Council or any other location that will work for the students and everyone involved. NAPA should be facilitated first. The fact that there is such a hurry makes it seem like there is an agenda. And it shouldn't be politically motivated because NAPA is a hugely important institution.

Benazir Bhutto was a big promoter of arts and culture so the government must keep that spirit alive.


Farhad Humayoun

Farhad didn't know about the NAPA controversy but when Instep told him bout it, he was shocked.

"It's the sole performing arts institute in the country and Zia sahib has worked so hard to make it progress. He is the only credible person in our country who could have handled such an institute and take the task of training people in his hands," says Farhad. "All the issues should have been solved before giving the place to NAPA because now when it's well reputed, there is no point of bringing it up."

"In fact, I was so looking forward to perform in their theatre one of these days. It's such a shame that it might not be there for long."


Faisal Rafi

Our government is visionless. NAPA means a lot to the artists' community and to the students who've been studying there. It is an important institution.

That said, Arshad Mahmud and Zia Mohyeddin don't form the best management. They roam around in their expensive cars and air conditioned offices while student facilities at NAPA are zilch. Musharraf granted them millions so how is it that they don't provide students with instruments? Three to four students of NAPA are working with me and they weren't provided with instruments.

Most of the (music) students have stayed at NAPA because of Nafees Ahmed and Bashir Khan. As for moving NAPA to another location, it just goes to show
how the vision for the future doesn't exist

Source: Instep Magazine