ISLAMABAD: Lok Virsa celebrated the 71st Independence Day of Pakistan with day-long activities featuring a cake cutting ceremony, exhibitions and a live folk music concert.

The event was hosted in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage.

The cake cutting ceremony was held at the Pakistan Monument Museum which a large number of children and youngsters, dressed in white and green and with flags in their hands, also attended.

A workshop with artisans at work was held at the Heritage Museum where master artisans in the fields of papier-mâché, pottery making, metal work, leather embroidery, lacquer art and jewellery making from across the country displayed their handicrafts.

Another exhibition showcased artworks created by children under the supervision of master artisans at summer camp and other Lok Virsa programmes during the last year.

Khawaja Safar Ali, 72, is known for his metal work and hails from Peshawar.

He was making various patterns on metal objects during the exhibition in which children seemed particularly interested.

He told Dawn that the popularity of metal work is declining due to its high cost of production and the increase in imported metal ware.

He said very few people in Peshawar have stayed in the trade. He engraves decorative plates, vases, bowls, samovars and other similar things in exquisite designs reminiscent of the Mughal era.

“Such exhibitions provide me with an opportunity to introduce my work to the younger generation, which gives me immense satisfaction. The government should support artists to keep these crafts alive,” he said.

Dholis also put up performances throughout the day, which concluded with a folk music concert and a prize distribution ceremony at the open air theatre in the evening.

Lok Virsa had launched a Milli Naghma contest in July 2018 in which 50 entries were received from across the country. Twenty six contestants appeared in two auditions held at Lok Virsa on August 7 and 9.

Nimra Khan from Peshawar, Maryam from Skardu and Hina Abbasi from Islamabad were given the first three positions respectively and were given cash prizes.

They also performed in the concert along with other national folk singers who presented national songs including Chand Roshan Chamakta Sitara Rahey, Merey Wattan Teri Jannat Mein Ayen Gein, Jewey Jewey Pakistan and others.

Talking to media persons, Lok Virsa Executive Director Shahera Shahid said: “This day provided an opportunity to master artisans, folk artists and folk musicians to demonstrate their skills and promote peace, unity and integration among all federating units on this occasion”.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2018