ISLAMABAD: The 10-day Folk Festival ‘Lok Mela’ has commenced under the aegis of the National Heritage and Culture Division, bringing with it folk music, traditional cuisine and art and craft for festival goers.
The formal opening of the festival was held on Friday at Lok Virsa open air theatre. Interim Minister for National Heritage and Culture Syed Jamal Shah was the chief guest on the occasion.
The ceremony started with national anthems of Pakistan and Palestine on the occasion.
Apart from many programmes for visitors, exhibition of the work by artisans was a special attraction for the visitors at the ‘Lok Mela’.
More than 400 artisans were seen showcasing their work of making aesthetically-attractive handicraft, using their creativity in folk arts and mesmerising visitors with their unique craftsmanship.
Handicrafts on display included Multani, Bahawalpuri, Hazara, Swati, Balochi and Sindhi embroidery, block printing, wood lacquer work, khusa making, pottery, chunri work, doll making, khaddar weaving, truck art, wood carving, namda and gaba, metal work, shawl weaving, zari work, bead work, ajrak and stone carving.
Many women artisans exhibited their skills in the Mela as well. The most prominent among them was Kaneez Fatima, an expert craftswoman of Balochi embroidery.
She carried forward this centuries-old tradition of her ancestors and had dedicated 35 to 40 years of her life to this profession and making this art useful for future generations too.
Among men artisans was Mohammad Riaz, an expert craftsman of lacquer work from Silanwali, Punjab. His father was also an expert craftsman.
He continued to exhibit his art in many fairs and exhibitions across the country and was awarded several times with cash prizes and certificates. He was recently conferred with Pride of Performance.
Lok Virsa Executive Director (ED) Uzair Khan, while giving his welcoming speech, thanked the minister, secretary, diplomats, high level officials and distinguished guests who attended the inaugural ceremony.
He apprised the audience of the salient features of Lok Mela.
Mr Khan said the festival showcased living cultural heritage of Pakistan. It also aimed to revive endangered folk traditions like arts and crafts and musical forms, he said.
“The Mela helped to keep all the units of the federation actually connected with each other. It provides an opportunity for skilled master craftsmen and women from across the country to showcase their art at national level and sell their products directly to public without intervention of the commission agent,” the ED said.
Keeping with the tradition of Lok Mela, a Dastarbandi/Chaddarposhi ceremony was held each year in which established craftsperson and eminent folk artist was honoured by placing a turban or a chaddar on his head/her shoulder.
This year Siyani Khatoon, a master artisan of Khes/Lungi weaving from Sindh, and Fazal Jutt, folk artist from Punjab, was honoured. The chief guest placed a shawl on the shoulder of Siyani Khatoon and put a turban on Fazal Jutt.
In his address, the chief guest said the main focus of this festival was to express solidarity with Palestinian people, who were suffering at the hand of Israel.
He said a special stall had been set up during the festival showcasing Palestinian photographs and a donation box.
During the ceremony, folk singers from all provinces and regions of Pakistan gave electrifying performances. A special performance by Saira Peter, opera singer, was also a part of the event, who had specially flown in from the United Kingdom for Lok Mela.
Keeping culture alive, a match of traditional wrestling of Punjab Kabaddi was also held. Two teams from Faisalabad gave a thrilling performance of Kabaddi amid loud beating of drums, which drew crowds.
Later, Qawwal Bakshi Brothers took to the stage in the open air theatre and gave an electrifying and riveting performance and received applause from the fans.
The festivities of Lok Mela will continue till November 12.
Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2023