Islam is the
largest and the state religion of
the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Pakistan has been called
a "global center for political Islam"
The society and culture
of Pakistan comprises numerous ethnic groups: the Punjabis, Potwaris,Kashmiris, Sindhis in east, Muhajirs, Makrani in
the south; Baloch, Hazaras and Pashtuns in
the west; and the Dards, Wakhi, Baltis and Burusho communities in the north. The culture
of these Pakistani ethnic groups have been greatly influenced by many of its
neighbours, such as the other South Asians, Turkic peoples as well as the peoples
of Central Asia and West Asia.
The region has formed a
distinct unit within the main geographical complex of South Asia, West
Asia the Middle East and Central Asia from the earliest times, and is
analogous to the position of Afghanistan.[1] There are differences
among the ethnic groups in cultural aspects such as dress, food, and religion,
especially where pre-Islamic customs differ from Islamic practices. Their
cultural origins also reveal influences from far afield, including China, India and Afghanistan. Pakistan was the first region of
South Asia to be fully impacted by Islam and
has thus developed a distinct Islamic identity, historically different from
areas.
Pakistani literature
originates from when Pakistan gained its independence as
a sovereign state in 1947. The common and shared tradition of Urdu literature and English literature of Greater India was inherited by the new state.
Over a period of time, a body of literature unique to Pakistan emerged, written
in nearly all major Pakistani languages, including Urdu, English, Punjabi, Pashto, Seraiki, Balochi, Sindhi , Kashmiri and Gilgiti.
Poetry is a highly
respected art and profession in Pakistan. The pre-eminent form of poetry in
Pakistan almost always originates in Persian, due in part to the long-standing
affiliation and heavy admiration the regions rulers once had for certain
aspects of foreign Persian culture. The enthusiasm for poetry exists at a
regional level as well, with nearly all of Pakistan's provincial languages
continuing the legacy. Since the independence of the country in 1947 and
establishment of Urdu as the
national language, poetry is written in that language as well. The Urdu
language has a rich tradition of poetry and includes the famous poets Muhammad Iqbal (national poet), Mir Taqi Mir, Ghalib, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Ahmad
Faraz, Habib Jalib, Jazib Qureshi, and Ahmad
Nadeem Qasmi. Apart from Urdu poetry,
Pakistani poetry also has blends of other regional languages. Balochi, Sindhi,
Punjabi, Seraiki, and Pashto poetry have
all incorporated and influenced Pakistani poetry.
The variety
of Pakistani music ranges from
diverse provincial folk music and traditional styles such as Qawwali and Ghazal
Gayaki to modern forms fusing traditional and Western music, such as the synchronisation of
Qawwali and Western music by the world-renowned Nusrat
Fateh Ali Khan. In addition Pakistan is home to many famous folk singers
such as the late Alam Lohar, who is
also well known in Indian Punjab. The
arrival of Afghan refugees in the
western provinces has rekindled Dari music
and established Peshawar as a hub
for Afghani musicians and a distribution center for Afghani music abroad.
Kathak -classical dance that developed in the
royal courts of the Mughals.
Folk dances are still popular in Pakistan and vary according
to region such as:
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