Islamabad: (Parliament Times) Folk Festival ‘Lok Mela’ continues in Islamabad in which provinces across Pakistan are showing culture of their provinces through show of arts and crafts in provincial pavilions.
On Tuesday, Balochistan pavilion outstood all provinces’ pavilions in showing the rich culture and traditions of Balochistan at the festival. A lot of visitors visited the pavilion showcasing Balochistan’s rich legacy.
The pavilion showed rich culture of Balochistan through embroidery, dresses, music and food rare to be found in Islamabad. The pavilion has been set up by the Balochistan directorate of culture in collaboration with Lok Virsa.
The Balochistan contingent included craftspeople, folk artists, folk musicians and dance groups. Master artisans were Daryan Khan in traditional ‘saroz’ making, Miral Khan in leather embroidery, Muhammad Akram in handloom work, Rozi Khan in ‘Balochi chappal’ making, Malookan in Balochi embroidery and others.
Visitors take keen interest in the Balochistan pavilion as it stands out among the pavilions of other provinces for displaying culture, embroidery, dresses, music and food rare to be found in the capital city otherwise. The organisers have allocated spacious pavilions to all the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir for showcasing their indigenous folk culture in a creative and interactive manner
Later, Lok Virsa hosted a Balochistan musical night featuring local folk songs on Tuesday at the Open Air Theatre as part of the ten-days Lok Mela.
Eminent Folk artists and musicians included Saju Khan, Saroz player, Akhtar Chanaal, Brahvi Singer, Taj Balehdi Singer, Sabz Ali Bughti Singer, Zeba Sanam, Singer, Zeba Noori, Singer, Shah Mir Sabzal, Singer and others enthralled the audience at open air theatre.
Famous Leva dance group also entertained the onlookers regularly with their distinctive attire and unique dance moves.
Secretary Culture, Tourism and Archives Balochistan, Zafar Ali Balehdi was the chief guest on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Zafar Ali said,”Lok Virsa deserves commendation for promoting rich heritage of Country in such a beautiful way. The efforts of Lok Virsa in projecting the true culture of Balochistan is praiseworthy. “We will support every initiative that can lead to create national harmony and integration among the nation, which is need of the hour.”
A visitor, Sana Nabeel, said “one can see the glimpses from every corner of Pakistan created in the lush green surroundings of the Shakarparian Hills, contributing significantly to enhance the stature, beauty and landscape of the federal capital”
Punjab Musical Night is scheduled tomorrow at 7pm whereas ‘Lok Mela’ is going on with all its festivities.from 10 am to 10 pm.till 13th November 2018.
