Lok Virsa gives award to folk artist

Folk singer Mubarak Khan Mubarak received a Life Time Achievement Award with a reward of Rs50, 000.

The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (NIFTH) popularly known as Lok Virsa has given Life Time Achievement Award with a reward of Rs50, 000 to, Mubarak Khan Mubarak, noted folk singer of Chitral, in recognition of his contribution to the promotion of Khuwar folk music and culture.

Lok Virsa, Executive Director, Khalid Javaid, presented the award to the artist at a ceremony, arranged in collaboration with Anjuman Taraqi-e-Khuwar, in a local hotel the other day, says a press release.

In his message, federal minister for culture, Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani, who is also the chairman of Lok Virsa board of governors, said “It is a milestone achievement of Lok Virsa and the Norwegian Embassy aiming to promote and project the indigenous folk culture and music of Chitral” adding that it is the first time in the history of Pakistan that such a unique effort has been made for the artist community . The minister further stated the government is committed to extend maximum incentives to the rural artists, musicians and artisans, so that they could not only feel pride in practicing their traditions but also transfer this magnificent heritage to the coming generations.

While thanking the Norwegian donors for the generous support, the minister said “Because of the current financial constraints, the govt was looking for a partner to help out in reviving Pakistan’s traditional culture and at that difficult juncture it was the Norwegian government who decided to collaborate with us. I would like to thank Robert Kvile and his team for their personal contribution.”

Speaking on the occasion, Javaid, said that his organisation is striving to document, preserve and disseminate Pakistan’s tangible cultural and musical heritage as well as encourage folk artists and artisans under the joint institutional cooperation programme between Pakistan and Norway.

Norwegian assistance since  2006 has contributed immensely not only to revive Lok Virsa’s but also strengthened the capacity building of the institution,facilitating it to pay an effective role as a lead partner.

“Today, we have a vast network of regional, local and community based organisations all over Pakistan, including remote regions that are closely working with us for the promotion of traditions, folklore, music and other aspects of their culture in a coordinated and efficient way”.

Javiad also said that the purpose of the show is to give financial help to a folk artist or a master artisan who has made some significant achievements for the continuance of his/ her skill, but is facing hardship to achieve this goal. It also serves as a source of encouragement for other artists to work hard.

The next benefit shows that Lok Virsa plans to hold for a leading Balochi folk artist and the other from Punjab province. Such shows have already been held for artists from Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2010.