Lok Mela showcasing cultural heritage opens

Folk festival popularly known as ‘Lok Mela’ at National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage in the federal capital was inaugurated by Adviser to Prime Minister for Political, Public Affairs and National Heritage and Culture Engr Amir Muqam.

Engr Amir Muqam was invited as the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony titled “Dastarbandi/Chadarposhi”. According to tradition, Lok Mela opens with a Dastarbandi/Chadarposhi of established master artisans and folk artists. Similarly, this year, several master artisans were honoured with Dastars.

In his address, the adviser to prime minister welcomed all the participants of the folk festival, hailing from all over the country. He said that Lok Virsa was determined for the conservation, preservation and propagation of the folk cultural heritage of the country.

Engr Amir Muqam said that the Lok Mela aims at promoting, perpetuating and preserving arts, crafts, culture, folk music and traditional skills of the country. He said that this unique event has now become a symbol of the federation’s recognition and patronage of our rich cultural diversity and active participation of the people.

He said that Lok Virsa organised this event to showcase variety of cultures present in our country. It also aims to introduce talented artists and artisans at the national level through this festival. He claimed that this Mela was part of government priorities as it aims to encourage initiatives related to public welfare, promotion, and development of Pakistan's culture, and to provide meaningful and wholesome entertainment opportunities to the citizens, he added.

He further said that this was the true image of Pakistan as a peace-loving country. He highly praised the artists and artisans for keeping this cultural stamp alive. “Now, in this era of fast and modern media, this cultural and cultural colourfulness can be introduced to the whole world very easily”, he added.

Engr Amir Muqam said that we can earn more foreign exchange by promoting our handicrafts. We should present our high cultural traditions, arts and historical facts to the world and show them the bright side of our civilization, he added.

He thanked all the provincial governments and their representatives who fully cooperated with the Lok Virsa administration to organise this wonderful Mela. He said that with the joint efforts of all, this cultural festival, adorned with national aspirations will be a remarkable success.

He also said that Pakistan has been badly affected by floods this year and flood-affected people were in dire need of our support. He claimed that a part of the revenue generated through the event would be donated to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund for the rehabilitation of flood victims.

The Lok Mela which features a host of traditional arts, and crafts from all over Pakistan will continue until December. In the end, Engr Amir Muqam also visited several cultural pavilions and met artists and artisans and appreciated their hard work and creativity.

Secretary National Heritage and Culture Fareena Mazhar, Executive Director Lok Virsa Shahzad Durrani, and representatives of all the provinces including Azad Jammu Kashmir were also present besides hundreds of master artisans, folk artists, and musicians from all parts of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 27^th, 2022.