LAHORE: Baloch Culture Day was celebrated in the city on Tuesday with zeal and fervour.

A large number of students of the Government College University wearing traditional Balochi dresses, turbans and waistcoats paraded through the institute’s Bukhari Lawns, performed folk dances and sang Balochi songs.

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi inaugurated the event, appreciating the enthusiasm of the youth in removing misconceptions, protecting and promoting awareness about their cultures, values and heritage. He said celebrating various cultures was aimed at spreading awareness, promoting cultural integration and making efforts to keep alive all customs, traditions, cultures and unique lifestyles of people of the province.

He also announced constituting university-level Baloch, Pashtun, Kashmiri and Sindhi cultural student societies. Prof Zaidi also announced a Pakistan Cultural Festival at the varsity on March 23 where cultures of all provinces and regions of Pakistan would be exhibited and celebrated.

Later, the VC led a students’ walk on the campus in connection with the Baloch Culture Day.

ARTS COUNCIL: The Lahore Arts Council also organised an event on Baloch Culture Day at Alhamra Arts Centre to promote provincial harmony and national unity. The show featured poets, singers, dancers, literary personalities from Balochistan.

The event was organised by the council in collaboration with Punjab Arts Council on the directives of the culture department. Provincial Minister for Culture Khayal Ahmed Kastro attended the event as the chief guest. Information and Culture Secretary Raja Jahangir Anwar, Public Relations Director General Saman Rai and actor Shan also attended the event.

Alhamra Executive Director Dr Aslam Dogar presented a sword to the minister, secretary and actor Shan.

Minister Kastro welcomed all the participants and said the cultural colours of all regions of Pakistan were beautiful. The purpose of celebrating the Baloch Culture Day was to spread love, unity, cultural values and enhance the beauty of social life. Punjab always welcomed its brothers and sisters from Balochistan and the government encouraged regional artists and gave them projection in every which way, he added.

Dr Dogar said the show had been organised to promote harmony among all the provinces, adding that Alhamra wanted to send a message of love and peace among the people of Pakistan. Through this event, the people of Lahore will understand and be familiarised with the culture of Balochistan.

Art and Culture Director Zulfiqar Ali Zulfi said: “We all need to recognise each other’s cultures. This show is an excellent addition to the Lahore literary and cultural atmosphere. This event has been organised to pay tribute to the services of Baloch artists,” he added.

Alhamra also released a Balochi song sung by the renowned Akhtar Chanal Zahri. The traditional chaap dance, Balochi sword dance, folk songs, jhoomar and a Nur Sur music performance were also part of the show.

A large number of people from all walks of life, especially families, attended the festival and enjoyed and appreciated the music, dance and culture of Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2021