LAHORE: The Punjab Council of Arts has launched a Folk Studio to promote Punjab‘s folk heritage, which is not only rich but also woven into the cultural diversity of the province.

Under the studio, an initiative by Additional Culture Secretary Saman Rai, also the executive director of the Punjab Council of Arts, every week a divisional arts council will present a show featuring folk artistes.

The launch ceremony of the studio took place at Open Air Theatre at Bagh-i-Jinnah on Saturday, where the chief guest was Additional Chief Secretary Umar Rasool and the guest of honour Executive Director of the Lahore Arts Council Atta Muhammad Khan.

The ceremony featured folk dance and music performances by singers and vocalists of Potohari as it was a presentation by the Rawalpindi Arts Council.

The artistes who performed on the occasion were Saien Amjad Mehmood, Ejaz Butt, Waheed Murad, Hameed Babar, Shaukat Ali, Laila Ali and Saleem. The executive director of the Lahore Arts Council also spoke in the Potohari language.

The Punjab Arts Council has nine divisional arts councils and on every Saturday each council will hold a cultural show at Open Air Theatre, Bagh-i-Jinnah.

A number of stalls featuring Potohari handicrafts were also on display. A stall selling bead necklaces and bracelets attracted several female visitors.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2017