Living traditions: Culture strengthens national harmony: Marriyum

Information minister opens three-day free entry public event

Cultural perspective strengthens spirit of national harmony and integration said Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb.

She was speaking at the opening of the three-day youth cultural mela at Shakarparian under the aegis of the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa), Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage.

“Lok Virsa is promoting traditional skills, creating awareness among youth about the indigenous cultural heritage of Pakistan,” she said.

The opening ceremony was held in the beautiful surroundings of the Heritage Museum, which depicts living cultural traditions and lifestyles of the people of Pakistan.



People at the ceremony were welcomed with ever green national song Sohni Dharti followed by Allama Iqbal’s poem Khudi ka sere Nehan and then famous Balochi, Pashto, Sindhi, Kashmiri and Chitrali folk songs as well as a live folk dance performance by G-B dancers.

Dhamaal presented at the end mesmerised the audience. All these performances were presented by young folk artists. The event gave the budding talent a chance to perform before the national media.

A large number of students of different colleges and universities of the twin cities of Islamabad-Rawalpindi attended the event and enjoyed the thrilling performances presented by young folk artists and musicians.

In her welcoming remarks, Lok Virsa Executive Director Shahera Shahid,shed light on the objectives of the youth cultural mela. She also informed that the annual folk festival of Pakistan, popularly known as “Lok Mela” will be organized in October this year.



Young artisans at work

The major features of the three-day youth cultural mela include gathering of youth in colourful traditional costumes, youth artisans at work, folk musical performances, folk dance performances, performances by traditional drummers (dholis), traditional cuisine and craft bazaar.

The exhibition young artisans at work showcases traditional crafts like wood carving, jewellery, embroidery and shawl weaving from Kashmir. Handicrafts, cap making and embroidery from Gilgit-Baltistan are also on display. 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 28^th, 2018.