Besant Hall Cultural Centre

Besant Hall is a 122-year-old building, named after a female British scholar Annie Besant. Initially, it had been used as a socio-political, and cultural platform. Besant Hall became an ideal place for educational, cultural, social, and political activities especially when Annie Besant herself started the Home Rule Movement. The building was initially looked after by the members of theosophical society but with the passing time the caretakers changed its function and used it as a marriage hall, for birthday parties, and other commercial purposes which eventually caused it to desolate.

In 2019, Endowment Fund Trust took it over with an agreement, made between EFT, district government and theosophical society which stated that Besant Hall will be handed over to EFT for 10 years. EFT restored the building with the intention to run it with a purpose that can serve the community. The work of the building has been carried out keeping in view Besant’s original beauty and alternate material is used only where inevitable.

The premises will be used as a library, both the children’s and scholars’ library, cultural hall, community center, sports complex, and a writer’s café. The multifarious function of the hall also includes an open platform for artists all over Hyderabad and Sindh for collaboration, music and art classes and exhibitions. We also invite educational institutes to register and become part of the Besant family. A venue for writers, scholars, and litterateurs to join hands and enlighten the city and embark on a journey to the grandeurs of knowledge.

We look forward to the people joining and helping the building the grow as a success. We propose to initiate the revival of Hyderabad’s cultural and academic history, which over the years has been lost. Hyderabad and this center were the place of love, harmony and understanding. We seek the cooperation and help of the citizens of Hyderabad to make Besant Hall a cultural community center and together we can make it a great place to build a harmonious society.

The objectives of Besant Hall Cultural Centre have been designed keeping in view the objectives of the Trust.

• Promoting cultural awareness and appreciation is one of our primary objectives by providing space for cultural events, exhibitions, and performances.
• Encouraging community engagement, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, and allowing them a platform for cultural exchange, dialogue, and social interaction.
• Preserving cultural heritage through showcasing traditional art, crafts, music, and other cultural practices.
• It is also a space for artists, musicians, writers, and other creative professionals to aunt their work, collaborate and innovate.
• To support in the preservation of Sindh’s artistic, tangible, and intangible heritage that have been forsaken including the architectural works, sculptures, paintings, inscription, as for the part of intangible music, dance, narrations, ethnological, movable, and immovable assets of that worth preservation from the artistic and historical relevance to Sindh’s cultural heritage, that can be counted in the heritage includes marvels from the point of view of Sindhi’s history, literature, and or science.
• To nurture the education system by offering workshops, lectures, seminars, symposiums, and other programs to promote cultural learning, understanding and awareness of Sindh’s heritage,
• To encourage capacity building programs for the economic, social, and educational improvement of communities living in the vicinity of the hall
• Overall, our objectives of a cultural center are to promote cultural diversity, foster community engagement and enrich the lives of individuals and communities through cultural expression, art, and education.

Besant Hall Cultural Centre and Sindhi Adabi Sangat mutually hosted an evening on 9th November, 2023 paid tribute to the esteemed figure of Muhammad Ibrahim Joyo on his 6th death anniversary. The event aimed to honour Joyo’s rich legacy, portraying him as a giant writer in Sindhi literature and culture. The significance of Joyo’s contributions will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations.

The Besant Hall Cultural Centre hosted ‘Children’s Literature Festival’ on 20th November, commemorating International Children’s Day. A platform provided for underprivileged children who often lack opportunities to showcase their enthusiasm for art and literature. Renowned writer, artist, and educationist Rumana Husain took centre stage in a program titled “Meri Kahani Meri Zubani,” sharing her literary journey in a captivating storytelling session. Interacting with the children, she delved into childhood stories, adding an interactive and engaging dimension to the event.

The Besant Hall Cultural Centre on 29th November, 2023 paid tribute to an esteemed figure Mumtaz Mirza. The event was presided by Mr. Sajjad Mumtaz Mirza. The speakers shed light on Mumtaz Mirza’s multifaceted career, showcasing his contributions as a scriptwriter, TV program producer, script editor, Chairman of the Sindhi Language Authority, and Director-General in the Culture department of Sindh. His versatile roles highlighted his commitment and dedication to the cultural landscape of Sindh. Madam Mehtab talked about Mumtaz Mirza’s contribution to the world of theatre, particularly with his play “Akhri Raat,” in which she played a role of Nirtaki (dancer). The evening was enriched by the musical performance of Faheem Allan Faqeer.

On 16th December, 2023, the Besant Hall Cultural Centre & Dr. NA Baloch Research Foundation mutually commemorated the 106th birth anniversary of Dr. Nabi Bux Baloch. The event presided by Mr. Abdul Ghaffar Soomro, featured the inauguration of two significant works: Shah Sharif Bhadai jo Risalo, edited by Dr. Baloch, and Sindh Sakafati Abhiyas, a collection of essays on Sindhi culture. Speakers shed light on his profound contributions to Sindhi literature, history, and culture. The speakers also acknowledged his extensive work in various fields, including musicology and Islamic civilization, and urged the younger generation to draw inspiration from his exemplary legacy.

Speakers paid tribute to Ahmed Faraz on his 92nd Birth Anniversary at Besant Hall. Formidable intellectual Rizwan Siddiqui, poetesse Dr. Ambareen Haseeb Amber and Dr. Fatima Hussain shed light on the personality, life and poetic contribution of Ahmed Faraz. On this occasion an unseen interview of Ahmed Faraz recorded by Endowment Fund Trust was also screened in which Ahmed Faraz had answered various questions about his life’s experiences, poetry and professional career. Ahmed Faraz layered his language in a manner that often appeared to be introspective, while at other times, it seems to be focussed toward his audience.

Sanam Marvi mesmerised audiences with her melodious voice during a concert organised at Besant Hall Cultural Centre on 26th April 2024. Sanam Marvi expressed gratitude to the management. She started her music career in Hyderabad as being native citizen of the city she recalled the memories of her father and visits to the Radio Pakistan. She said that legendary singers including Abida Parveen, Ustad Muhammad Yousuf, and Muhammad Juman inspired her to make her career in singing.

Secretary of the Sindh Information Department, Nadeem-ur-Rehman Memon appreciated the management Basant Hall Hyderabad for promoting rich culture of Sindh. Whilst the inauguration of photographic exhibition of Makli, he admired the endeavours of EFT for organising exhibition which is one of its kinds to appreciate. As a historical masterpiece the exhibition aimed to enlighten the visitors grandeur and historical importance of Makli.

Besant Hall Cultural Centre organized an event to mark the 43rd death anniversary of inimitable historian Pir Hassam-u-Din Rashdi on 1st April 2024. Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Lakho presided the evening while key speakers including his grand-daughter Paras Mehmood Shah shed light on the life, career, and literary contribution of Pir Hassam-u-Din Rashdi who served as an editor, co-editor in number of newspapers and magazines including Al-Munar (Magazines), Peigham (Magazine), Sindh Zamindar (Newspaper) and Mehran (Magazine).

Besant Hall Cultural Centre organised a programme in honour of legendary folk Singer Alan Faqeer on his 24th death anniversary on 4th July 2024 formidable speakers including Farah Allan Faqir, Niaz Panhwar, Naseer Mirza, Mazhar Niyaz Hussain, Ahsan Qasim Makkah expressed their views and adored Allan Faqir that he was a true lover of Shah Abdul Latif and his universal message who was awarded with President’s Pride of Performance Award in 1980 for his unique singing.

The Besant Hall Cultural Centre and Sindh Indigenous & Traditional Crafts Company (SITCO) jointly celebrated 77th Independence Day. The event held on Wednesday, 14th August 2024, at Besant Hall Cultural Centre. The celebration was graced by Mr. Bilal Ahmed Memon, Commissioner of Hyderabad Division. The event featured a variety of activities, including: Flag Hoisting Jumping Castle for children Craft Stalls and Art Exhibition.

Besant Hall Cultural Centre and Sindh Indigenous and Traditional Crafts Company (SITCO) jointly celebrated 281st Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai on 24 and 25 August featured a series of lectures, discussions and evocative performances, providing a multifaceted exploration of diversity in Shah Latif’s poetry and his relevance in modern society. It featured a distinguished panel of scholars and speakers including Mr. Jahangir Siddiqui, Noor-ul-Huda Shah, Dr. Fehmida Hussain, Shafeeq-ur-Rehman Paracha, Dr. Sher Mehrani each offering unique perspectives on Latif’s enduring legacy.