Storytelling in the subcontinent

I come from a world where stories; like music, float in the air.

In the Sub-continent, especially in Pakistan, the tradition of storytelling has passed down over centuries through various forms of art.

Here, stories are painted on mud-pots and trucks. Here, the villagers sit under the light of stars and tell stories to each other, heart to heart. And in the City streets, often the Faqeer plays his old harmonium and sings folk songs of the listener's choice; and in the Shrines, the famous Qawwal’s lead ensembles and enchant the locals with devotional music and poetry.

Even at home, stories have a place of their own. From grandparents to the housekeepers, everyone has a story to tell. Children listen to the Qissay Kahaniyan _fables_ and remember them long after they grow up, repeating the same fables to their children.

With Film and Media in the picture, storytelling has become a medium to understand other cultures as well. It has helped bridge the gap between people of different origins to identify with diverse cultures and embrace humanity as a whole.