Folk artistes unhappy with lacklustre 2021

The beneficiaries of Lok Virsa, the country’s premier cultural and heritage museum as well as a subsidiary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, have been forced to endure collateral financial damage since the outbreak of coronavirus in Pakistan.

Apart from the annual Lok Mela, no major event was held for folk artistes in 2021.

Lok Virsa had been established by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting not only to preserve and inculcate the region’s traditions and heritage among the future generations, but was also created as a means of promoting local folk artistes.

Originally built in 1982, the Heritage Museum was upgraded in 2004 and generally attracts a large number of tourists, who come from far and wide to not only browse through the cultural displays and artefacts at the museum, but also to attend any festivals taking place at the premises throughout the year.

However, the current year was mostly barren apart from the Lok Mela, which was heavily criticised by folk artistes for featuring a western music event at the conclusion of the important fair instead of showcasing local cultural talent.

The folk artistes have demanded that the relevant authorities appoint a renowned folk artiste at Lok Virsa to manage, oversee and implement the true essence of the traditional and cultural heritage institution.

They also pointed out that not only were there no major events for them to take part in, but the administration also increased the rents of the craft shops in the museum’s bazaar by 100 per cent this year.

The shopkeepers then filed a case against the increase in their rents in the local court to seek a reversal. They alleged that a scheme has been prepared to run Lok Virsa on a commercial basis, which they declared would lead to an ‘economic assassination’ of the local artisans.

Talking to Express Tribune, they lamented that such measures were forcing the shopkeepers and artisans to vacate the premises and on the other hand, the Lok Virsa store was being rented out to clients of their choosing.

Meanwhile, a Lok Virsa spokesperson said that the museum was being upgraded on modern lines with the establishment of new galleries as well as making improvements in the open air theatre.

He further said that rents were being charged as per the tenancy laws in Islamabad, and that the authorities will not cave in to blackmailing tactics of the shopkeepers.

The spokesperson also claimed that the government has imposed budget cuts on Lok Virsa, which has resulted in the museum struggling to function up to its full potential.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2022.