Lok Mela to feature youth night today

Young people of the twin cities will enjoy an interactive event on their folk heritage at the on-going cultural festival, Lok Mela, on Tuesday (toda).

National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) will hold "Youth Engagement Night" on November 10 at "Annual Lok Mela", a statement issued by the organisers said.

The night aims to inculcate awareness among younger generation about the indigenous folk heritage of Pakistan and above all, to create a spirit of peace and unity, strengthen and re-enforce national harmony and integration through a cultural perspective.

The main features will include congregation of youth, youth artisans-at-work, live folk musical and folk dance performances by young folk artists, folk musicians and folk dancers, craft bazaar, and traditional cuisine of all provinces.

The night will see presentation of popular national songs, poetry recitation of Allama Iqbal, mystic songs, folk songs and folk dancers, all presented by young artists and folk musicians attired in coloured traditional costumes, an official said on Monday.

Lok Virsa has invited youth community from twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to join and express a message of peace, unity and harmony to the entire nation through a cultural perspective. Timings of the Mela will be from 10 am to 8 pm daily.

Meanwhile, Balochistan pavilion in the Lok Mela is attracting residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad due to its unique display of traditional art, craft and cuisine.

Visitors at Lok Mela termed Balochi pavilion a mini Balochistan as it presents its culture in a way that one can easily imagine the lifestyle of people living in the province. Baloch folk singer Jhangi Khan is seen attracting large crowd within the pavilion with his melodious and unique style of singing. In recognition of his talent, he was selected for "Rasm-e-Dastarbandi" during the mela.

Commenting on the festival, a visitor Rashid Ameer said: "one can see here the glimpses from every corner of Pakistan created in the lush green surroundings of Shakarparian hills, contributing significantly to enhance the stature, beauty and landscape of the federal capital".

Another visitor Noreen termed the event as a symbol of federation's recognition and patronage of our rich cultural diversity and active participation of the people of Pakistan.

Lok Mela affords a much needed economic opportunity to poor and under-privileged craftspeople to sell their products created over a period of one year directly to public without exploitation by market forces.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2020.