Lok Mela: Folk sights, sounds of Pakistan
Tribute paid to legendary folk artistes of Punjab
Artistes from across Pakistan perform at the Lok Mela. PHOTO: EXPRESS/AGENCIES
Dancers, singers and artisans showcased the sights, sounds and even crafts from across Pakistan at the annual Lok Mela on Saturday.
The colourful ten-day folk festival at Shakarparian, organised by the Lok Virsa, had started on April 7. It is expected to conclude on April 16.
The major features of the festival include artisans showing how they work and make their crafts, and an exhibition of their wares.
The organisers had set up cultural pavilions, divided for the provinces including Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Folk artistes at these pavilions showcased their traditional singing and dancing talents in full traditional garbs.
As a result, the entire festival venue was reverberating with sound of folk music.
A craft bazaar was also buzzing with people who looked at traditional crafts from different parts of the country. Apart from that, traditional food from these regions was on offer at food stalls.
Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed said that these folk songs and dances by artistes showcased the rich cultures of different regions of Pakistan.
A large number of people from different walks of life including professional, art and craft experts, cultural personalities, diplomats, political figures, media persons and students visited the festival.
Later in the evening on Saturday, a Vaisakhi Festival was held at the Open Air Theatre of Lok Virsa to pay tribute to the legendary folk artistes of Punjab.
Renowned singers Rahat, Bano, Niazi brothers including Javed Niazi and Babar Niazi, Saima Akhtar and Imran Ali performed, enthralling the audience.
Over 700 artistes, singers and artisans are participating in the festival and represent the real cultural values of the country.
For the first time, Lok Virsa also arranged a folk theatre especially for the young talent in the Lok Mela.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2017.
The colourful ten-day folk festival at Shakarparian, organised by the Lok Virsa, had started on April 7. It is expected to conclude on April 16.
The major features of the festival include artisans showing how they work and make their crafts, and an exhibition of their wares.
The organisers had set up cultural pavilions, divided for the provinces including Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Folk artistes at these pavilions showcased their traditional singing and dancing talents in full traditional garbs.
As a result, the entire festival venue was reverberating with sound of folk music.
A craft bazaar was also buzzing with people who looked at traditional crafts from different parts of the country. Apart from that, traditional food from these regions was on offer at food stalls.
Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed said that these folk songs and dances by artistes showcased the rich cultures of different regions of Pakistan.
A large number of people from different walks of life including professional, art and craft experts, cultural personalities, diplomats, political figures, media persons and students visited the festival.
Later in the evening on Saturday, a Vaisakhi Festival was held at the Open Air Theatre of Lok Virsa to pay tribute to the legendary folk artistes of Punjab.
Renowned singers Rahat, Bano, Niazi brothers including Javed Niazi and Babar Niazi, Saima Akhtar and Imran Ali performed, enthralling the audience.
Over 700 artistes, singers and artisans are participating in the festival and represent the real cultural values of the country.
For the first time, Lok Virsa also arranged a folk theatre especially for the young talent in the Lok Mela.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2017.