The Pakistani city of Lahore boasts some of the most spectacular cultural sites in the country, but years of terrorism and political instability have meant few tourists ever see them.
Among them are the Badshahi Mosque - the fifth largest mosque in the world - which was built by the same Mogul dynasty responsible for the Taj Mahal. But its UNESCO protected courtyard stands deserted.
It is not just the architectural landmarks that are struggling. "All expressiveness comes under attack in an extremist ideology," says painter Saleema Ashmay.
"I think now they can attack anything. Anything can become un-Islamic," says Faisan Peervada, whose puppet museum was bombed by extremists in April.
"We've had threats that we must discontinue the work of diversity," he says. "It is un-Islamic to have females on the stage dancing and playing music."
Numbers of music students at the Al Hamra arts complex have been falling. "The strongest weapon of any nation is an education," says one student. "The terrorist are trying to destroy a country to make them backwards."
"Culture is not just the name of a dancer or a movie," warns Faisan Peervada, who is calling for more support for Lahore's cultural festivals. "It is all about a life."
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