LAHORE: A three-day colorful folk mela, titled ‘Virsa’, being organised by the Lahore Arts Council (LAC), started on Friday at the Alhamra Arts Centre, The Mall.

The event was inaugurated by Parliamentary Secretary Information and Culture Muhammad Nadeem Qureshi along Alhamra Executive Director Athar Ali Khan, says a handout.

LAC board of governors (BoG) Chairperson Moneeza Hashmi and singer and BoG member Waris Baig also participated in the opening.

Singers sang local and folk songs and performed dance, greatly admired by the audience.

Speaking on the occasion, Information and Culture Parliamentary Secretary Muhammad Nadeem Qureshi said the LAC was determined to support arts and culture in pursuing excellence and representing the cultural roots. He appreciated the council for organising the folk festival, terming it a treat for the people who wanted to see the true colours of Punjab.

Ather Ali Khan said the folk festival was being organised for promotion of the Punjabi culture and the socio-cultural values of the province.

“The artistes from all over Punjab are participating in the festival which has a variety of cultural, art and literary activities, including poetry, drama, music, folk dance,” he said.

The festival will continue till Dec 22.

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2019