People of the twin cities came in droves to enjoy the 10-day festival showcasing cultural heritage of the federating units of Pakistan.
With official opening held on Friday, it was a public-friendly environment on Saturday.
People of the capital including foreigners were seen enjoying the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) festival Lok Mela on weekend.
The festival features provincial pavilions, artisans at work, folk songs and dance performances, craft bazaar, cultural nights, folkloric performances and many other activities.
Kashmir pavilion garnered most attraction and visitors were overwhelmed to see work of Kashmiri artisans.
Apart from artisans, a large number of folk singers are also participating in the festival.
An open air theatre opens at the mela in the evening. On Saturday night, folk singers including Ali Imran, Areeb Azhar and Qurban Niazi performed individually while Muhammad Salman Adil, Azam Hussain and Shaukat Dholi performed in a group. The singers received applause from audience on their mesmerising performance.
The Lok Virsa festival would continue daily until November 15 from 10am to 10pm.
Punjab pavilion set by Punjab Arts Council was also seen dominating in Lok Mela due to unique cultural heritage.
Over 60 master artisans including bone work, lacquer art , Multani blue tiles, tie and dye, block printing, wood carving, darree weaving, khaddar weaving, basketry, pottery, embroidery, camel bone carving, shoe (khussa), needle work etc.
The festival has offered an ideal opportunity people to experience the cultural diversity of the country.
The Punjab pavilion, presenting indigenous folk culture, arts, crafts, traditional cuisine, folk music and folk entertainment, remains the centre of attraction for the visitors.
Punjab Council of the Arts has fabricated Punjab pavilion containing main gate of Lahore Fort, Haveli of Punjab, decorated with stalls and stage for singers.
The council would also present Lok Music Night today (Sunday), where famous folk singers of the province will perform.
Display of traditional folk dances from all over the country will be held in open air at intervals. Folk entertainers and rural musicians are invited from all over the country to participate in the festival.
With additional input by APP
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2020.
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