ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, also known as Lok Virsa, held a celebration Saturday evening to reflect on its strategy for progress over the last three years.

The event was attended by a number of people, including MNA Ramesh Kumar, European Union Ambassador Jean-François Cautain, United Nations resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative Neil Buhne, director Syed Noor, writers such as I.A. Rehman, Mujahid Barelvi and Murtaza Solangi, and other members of the film, television and media fraternity.

Lok Virsa board members Farooq Qaisar and Akhunzada Taqi Mir were also present.

Each component of Lok Virsa’s strategy and progress was discussed in a separate segment, including ‘Rebuilding Cultural Identity’, ‘Reclaiming Cultural Spaces’, ‘Strengthening Lok Virsa’, ‘Linkages with Cultural Institutions’ and ‘Promoting Diversity and Pluralism’.

A large multimedia screen plays short videos, interviews and before-and-after visuals to demonstrate the progress made using the strategy of the last three years.

The evening was a fusion of discussion, dance and music. During the ‘Reclaiming Cultural Spaces’ segment, stars of Lok Virsa’s open mic performed a folk segment, and Syed Noor described the concept of the Mandwa Film Club as a way to revive film screenings.

The audience was particularly excited to see the launch of Lok Virsa’s digitised archives during the ‘Strengthening Lok Virsa’ segment.

Lok Virsa’s dance troupe Jamalo paid tribute to vintage cinema by performing to the classic Socha tha Pyar na Karein Ge.

Mr Kumar lauded the three years strategy and the resulting progress, saying the continuity of progress is essential to preserve the cultures, traditions and heritage of Pakistan.

Mr Cautain, spoke about his own experience of Lok Virsa before and during the last three years, saying the improvements were visibly exceptional.

The evening concluded with a performance by Krishan Laal Bheel, who presented his musical instrument to Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed as a token of appreciation for her leadership and services to Pakistan’s communities and cultures.

Published in Dawn, February 5th, 2018