Cultural diversity: Mural by Sabir Nazar unveiled at Lok Virsa

A media briefing was held today at Lok Virsa, regarding the inauguration of a public mural designed and made by artist and cartoonist Sabir Nazar and his team.

Dr Fouzia Saeed said that Lok Virsa welcomes and appreciates diversity and promotes the diverse culture of Pakistan.

Nazar said that the mural is not only an art display but it depicts the rich culture and tradition of Pakistan and Lok Virsa is the best place to display such art and creativity. Lok Virsa – the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, is constantly making an effort to build the youth’s self-image as South Asians and change the image of Pakistan internationally. Keeping this in mind, the institution is creating new narratives for the youth with a greater focus on pluralism and ethnic diversity. Lok Virsa provides a vital platform for a wide variety of cultural organisations and ethnic communities for organising themselves, with a space for artists and artisans, to become a part of Lok Virsa’s larger family.

The ongoing wall painting project, run by Nazar and six of his students, features the cultural diversity of all regions of Pakistan is an extension of such efforts made by the current management of Lok Virsa. Nazar in an interview, said, “Public art not only provides a platform for artists to express themselves but also ensures a stronger bond between the masses and organisations”.

Lok Virsa’s attempts at bringing forth a positive image of Pakistan particularly gained momentum during the past two years. The current executive director, Dr Fouzia Saeed has been trying very hard to attract youth by initiating projects to make culture more relevant to the younger generation.

Lok Virsa’s current strategy commits it to plant the seeds of the new generation who could be more pluralistic and democratic in their thinking and gradually move away from militant ideology.

It not only provides a space for cultural representatives of various provinces in one central space but it also ensures a strong bond and a sense of solidarity within them. Though the organisation has roots in the traditions and heritage from the past, it is making a conscious effort to make the cultural narratives more relevant to the new generation by bringing forth expressions that they are better able to connect with.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2017.