ISLAMABAD: The rich culture and traditions of Balochistan displayed at the ongoing Folk Festival ‘Lok Mela’ prove to be an opportunity for visitors to value the arts and crafts of the province along with the display of cultural values of other provinces.
The organizers have allocated spacious pavilions to all the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir for showcasing their indigenous folk culture in a creative and interactive manner.
The Balochi pavilion set up by the Balochistan Directorate of Culture in collaboration with Lok Virsa catches the visitors’ eye with presentation of the richness of Balochi culture, arts, crafts, folk music, rituals, traditions, cuisine and folk entertainment.
The Balochi contingent includes craftspeople, folk artists, folk musicians and dance groups. Master artisans are Daryan Khan in traditional saroz making, Miral Khan in leather embroidery, Muhammad Akram in handloom work, Rozi Khan in Balochi chappal making, Malookan in Balochi embroidery and others. Folk artists and musicians include Abdul Wahid, Talik/ dholak player, Muhammad Shakir (blind), saroz player, Faiz Muhammad, surnai player, Shakeel Ahmad, firework artist, Dad Shah, saroz player, Fida Ahmad, saroz player and others. Famous Leva dance group also entertains the onlookers regularly with their distinctive attire and unique dance moves.
The Balochi musical night is scheduled on Sunday, 10th April 2016 at 7 pm wherein eminent folk artists, musicians and performs will perform live in a concert.
A visitor to Mela Ms. Afsheen Hassan said “One can see here the glimpses from every corner of Pakistan created in the lush green surroundings of the Shakarparian Hills, contributing significantly to enhance the stature, beauty and landscape of the federal capital”.
Lok Mela continues with all its festivities. Daily timings are from 11 am to 11 pm. Entry ticket is Rs.30/- per head for adults and discounted Rs.20/- per head for students.
The Award Ceremony of Lok Mela will take place on Sunday, 10th April 2016 at 5 pm. Cash awards worth lakhs of rupees will be distributed among the winning master artisans and folk artists on the recommendations of a national jury constituted for the purpose. NNI
