LAHORE: The Open Air Theatre Bagh-i-Jinnah adorned with ornamentations was presenting a festive look on Saturday afternoon as the launch of the Folk Studio 2019 to promote the culture of Punjab attracted a large audience to the theatre.

The Punjab Council of the Arts launched a Folk Studio series to promote Punjab‘s folk heritage which is not only rich but also woven into the cultural diversity of the province. On Saturday, there was the inaugural show, ‘Pothohari Cultural Show’, from Rawalpindi, of the series followed by more shows from different divisional art councils working under the Punjab Council of the Arts. Under the Folk Studio, an initiative by Punjab Council of Arts Executive Director Saman Rai, every week a divisional art council would present a show featuring folk artistes.

The chief guest on the occasion was Minister for Information and Culture Fayyazul Hassan Chohan and guests of honour were National College of Arts Principal Murtaza Jaffri and MNA Wajeeha Akram. The stage of the Open Air Theatre was aesthetically decorated with the traditional stuff such as colourful hand fans, changairs, a well, pitchers and other such traditional folk stuff. There were stalls, featuring dolls and doll-making stuff, truck art and other handicrafts.

A good line-up of folk singers and instrumentalists from Rawalpindi enthralled a large audience, including the minister and other guests. An exceptional performance was by Guriya and Waheed Murad who performed on Dhol. Afshan Zaibi stole the show by singing a number of popular folk songs such as Lokaan Dou Dou Yar Banaye, and Bari Ashiq Mizaaj Ankhaan Terian. Famous Chakwal party was also highly praised for their folk song Ishq Appay Vi Awalra. Saeed Anwar came up with a famous folk number Chita Chola. Among other artistes who performed were Laraib, Raail, Hamza and Ahmed Haidri.

Speaking on the occasion, Saman Rai said Folk Studio remained extremely successful last year too. She said the current minister for information and culture had patronised culture a lot. She also mentioned a few initiatives taken by the minister such as the Health Insurance Card. She said the minister had taken keen interest in the Cultural Policy of Punjab which would be soon approved by the Cabinet. Besides eulogising the culture minister, Ms Rai also mentioned the Punjab Arts Council’s initiative, Fun Mitti Sey, which won award from Google.

The minister while speaking on the occasion held the Punjab Council of the Arts in high esteem for holding the series of Folk Studio shows. He mentioned the initiatives taken by the government for the artist community such as Sehat Card and shared details of the Voice of Punjab singing competition along with other initiatives the government was taking to promote art and culture.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2019