Lok Virsa art festival proves great success

‘Greatness in Diversity’ celebrated heterogeneous ethos, best cultural practices in Pakistan

LAHORE: Islamabad-based heritage museum Lok Virsa, on Wednesday, held a one-day festival titled ‘Greatness in Diversity’ which proved to be an enormous success. The aim behind the event was to celebrate the heterogeneous ethos and highlight the best cultural practices in Pakistan, stated a press release.

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Leading personalities from acting, music, puppetry, painting and other forms of arts graced the festival and shared their thoughts regarding the cultural practices within the Pakistani folk traditions. These included Saleema Hashmi, Usman Peerzada, Sadaan Peerzada, additional secretary of culture Saman Rai and Asian cultural history researcher Robert Pontsioen from Smithsonian Institute USA.

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‘Greatness in Diversity’ kicked off with a soulful shehnai performance by Ustad Sona. Executive director of Lok Virsa Dr Fozia Saeed welcomed the participants in the inaugural session stating, “It is Lok Virsa’s foremost priority to promote the cultural diversity within Pakistan.”

She added, “It is utterly important for us to show that we have brought all the leading cultural managers and practitioners who are working in different parts of the country under one roof so that they can sit together and make a collective strategy and framework for the restoration and promotion of our culture.”

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Pontsioen delivered a presentation regarding the cultural methodologies and strategies used by Japan for the promotion and preservation of its ancient culture. He identified the concerned areas that required attention in the making of cultural policy. He also placed emphasis on the restoration of folk craft traditions and cultural properties.

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A sarangi performance by Dr Taimur Khan enthralled the audience followed by Usman Peerzada speaking about the cultural contribution made by the Rafi Peer Theatre workshop in promotion of Pakistani culture across the world. He went on to mention how the Rafi Peer’s World Performing Arts Festival gave an opportunity for renowned artists to visit Pakistan and share their art alongside Pakistani talent for the public.

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Ustad Qamar Allah Lok performed soulful pieces on the pakhawaj and highlighted local tradition, whereas Attique presented a modern form of the instrument.

An exhibition entitled ‘The Lost Chord’ remained the central attraction during the proceedings of the festival. It brought to light many of Pakistan’s musical instruments which constitute an important element of the intangible heritage. It further brought attention to the status of these instruments, including those which are now deemed rare.

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In the afternoon session, Ejaz Sarhadi performed traditional musical acts on the sarinda, receiving a great amount of appreciation from the audience.

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‘Greatness in Diversity’ was concluded with a folk music concert in Alhamra Hall, Lahore, where folk singer Fazal Jutt revived the traditional folklores of Punjab in their original form. All the singers paid tribute to folk legend Aashiq Jutt and Bali Jati, which the audience thoroughly enjoyed.

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