‘Yakjehti Mela’: Colours and culture revive passion

The event emphasised purely cultural and social perspectives, trying to keep their identity and traditions alive.

ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) observed Kashmir Solidarity Day on Saturday. The event attracted a large number of people who wanted to express their support for Kashmiris, who have been struggling for their right of self-determination for decades. The ‘Yakjehti Mela’ was organised in collaboration with Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Division.

Observed on February 5 every year, Kashmir Solidarity Day has become a day of great national significance and is celebrated with immense fervour and enthusiasm. “We are here to express our moral, political and diplomatic support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters, who have been denied of their fundamental right of freedom by India”, said Abdul Hameed, a visitor, adding that, “It [the day] is a great means to revive the stalled Kashmir issue and its connection with Pakistan.”

This year too, Lok Virsa organised a day-long mini festival at its complex in Garden Avenue, Shakarparian. The day brought Kashmiri artisans, artists, non-governmental and governmental organisations working for the cause of Kashmir under one umbrella to express their resolve for ‘the cause of Kashmir’.

The event emphasised purely cultural and social perspectives, highlighting the contribution of Kashmiri immigrants who were trying to keep their identity and traditions alive. Social sector and community organisations, artists, musicians and diplomats were invited to participate in the mela (festival).

Speaking on the occasion, Lok Virsa Executive Director Khalid Javaid said, “Our objective of holding this event is to keep the Kashmir issue alive by creating awareness among the Pakisani youth about Kashmir’s history, culture and unique traditions.”

A wide of range of programmes continued throughout the day. The festival was formally inaugurated by Shaheen Dar, chief organiser of Women’s Wing, Pakistan Peoples Party Azad Kashmir. Federal Secretary of Culture Moinul Islam Bokhari also visited the festival and met with the participants.

The main attractions of the festival included ‘Kashmiri artisans-at-work’, with more than 25 craftspersons displaying their artisanship in creatively designed cultural pavilions which attracted large crowds and gripped their attention. The master artisans who participated in the exhibition included Zulfiqar Ali Ghazi (papier-mache), Yasmin Mustafa (shishgari), Nasir Ali (needlework), Muhammad Saleem (woodwork), Dawood Ahmed (Kashmiri embroidery), Qazi Ali Muhammad (namda and gabba), Muhammad Javaid (metal work), Shamim Habib (Kashmiri embroidery), Habib Ejaz (truck art) and Muhammad Hafeez Nasir (zari work).

Recurring musical performances, Taleh Ruz, named after traditional Kashmiri jewellery, continued at Lok Virsa’s open air theatre throughout the day. Performing folk artists and musicians included rubab player Subhan Rather, singers Rukhsana Murtaza Haleema, Sonia, Nasir Butt, Rubina Khanum and Altaf Mir, sarangi player Ghulam Muhammad Dar, ghara player Ghulam Rasool Butt, rubab player Ghulam Muhammad Rishi, drummers Shahid and Waseem Akhtar, violinist Jalees Ahmed, table player Amanat Ali and guitarist Hassan Ali.

Moreover, a large number of NGOs and government organisations such as Behbud Association, Binte Hazara Welfare Foundation, Roshni Organisation, Women Vocational Centre, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, Kashmir Liberation Cell and Vanguard Books along with others set up stalls displaying their products and banners bearing slogans relevant to the event.

An Arts and Crafts Bazaar was also set up at the festival, offering a variety of trinkets, knick-knacks, gem stones and folk art at very affordable prices.

Mouth watering Kashmiri cuisine, including rista, roghan josh, tabaq mas, aab gosht and goshtaba was served during the festival and washed down with Kashmiri green tea.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6^th,2011.