Pakistan
Pakistan
Map courtesy of travel.state.gov
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the world's sixth most populous country. 61% of Pakistan's 180 million people are age 24 or younger and 96% are Muslim. Islam permeates Pakistani culture, politics, and society from the sounds of the calls to prayer to generous hospitality. Pakistani culture is ethnically and linguistically diverse but in general, is formal, hierarchical, and patriarchal. Seniority is valued and respect for elders is a hallmark of relationships.
Many of Pakistan's classical and folk arts are shared with (and sometimes overshadowed by) those of India. And the religious and political tensions and hostilities between these two states have sometimes resulted in culture grabs on both sides. E.g. Qawwali (Sufi devotional music with roots in ancient Persia and popular still in Delhi and other parts of India) is one of Pakistan's best known cultural exports, while kathak dance, previously found throughout the subcontinent, is now sometimes referred to as an Indian classical dance, and rarely practiced in Pakistan.
Pakistanis born since the 1947 partition of the British Raj are creating a vibrant contemporary culture. The contemporary arts scene in Pakistan is dynamic and growing. Experimentation and synthesis (of Pakistani, broader South Asian, other eastern and western forms and expressions) are integral to much of the work being created by visual, literary and performing artists.
culture
Many of Pakistan's English-language daily papers have extensive coverage of culture, entertainment, and style:
- Dawn
- Friday Times
- The Nation
- Sunday Plus - the Nation's style and culture-oriented Sunday magazine
- The News International
- Pakistan Today
Magazines and journals:
- Tanqeed - a magzine of culture and politics
Tumblr:
art & music
- Art Now Pakistan - contemporary art magzine
- Nukta Art Magazine - contemporary art magazine
- Street dancing years: The golden age of Pakistani pop music
- Mapping the Dream of Pakistan in the Streets of Karachi
- The beating pulse of Indie music in metropolitan Pakistan
Literature
- Granta's 2010 Pakistan Issue - online version includes memoires, essays, and a translation of works by groundbreaking Urdu writer, Manto
- Searching for an Underground Generation in Karachi, Pakistan
government
- Government of Pakistan's offical website (in English)
- US Embassy, Islamabad
- US Embassy, Islamabad Facebook - including very lively discussions and frequent video and photo posts
- Embassy of Pakistan in the US
- Pakistan country study