‘Preserve folk literature for children’

PAC inaugurates Punjab Pavilion at Islamabad Lok Mela

ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Federal Minister for National Heritage & Culture Jamal Shah has stressed the need to establish a heritage channel under the Culture Division to preserve and promote the collection of folk literature of Pakistani languages, especially children's folk literature.

Chairing a meeting to discuss the literary folklore collected during a recent National Conference on Children's Folk Literary Heritage at the Pakistan Academy of Letters, the caretaker minister emphasised the importance of engaging children.

He pointed out that by introducing children to their environment and culture at a young age, they can make more informed decisions in life.

During the meeting, the Advisory Committee for Children's Cultural Educational Content delved into the literary folklore collected at the two-day National Conference on Children's Folk Literary Heritage. Jamal Shah said the purpose of the conference was to collect and publish children's folk literature, proverbs, stories, songs and lullabies in the form of audiobooks.

He said the National Heritage and Culture Division was diligently pursuing the project and with the cooperation of other institutions under the division, the project would be completed soon.

The meeting included the participation of the National Heritage and Culture Division Secretary Humaira Ahmed, National Education and Professional Training Additional Secretary Junaid Akhlaq, National Heritage and Culture Joint Secretary, and a representative from the Sir Memorial Trust.

Also read  Folk festival opens at Lok Virsa theatre today

Separately, Punjab Arts Council Director General Syed Bilal Haider inaugurated the Punjab Pavilion at Lok Mela Islamabad on Friday. Director Waqar Ahmed and Assistant Director Muhammad Suleman also accompanied him on this occasion.

Syed Bilal Haider said on this occasion that Punjab is the land of five rivers and its culture is centuries old.

“The scope of culture is unlimited. Nations that stay connected with their culture are the ones that develop the most.”

While the purpose of culture is to connect the past with the present to realise one's identity, its purpose is also to create the best society, he added. Bilal Haider further said the promotion of regional culture is the guarantee of unity and solidarity.

“Art and culture are prominent are of paramount importance for any country and play an important role in its development and prosperity.”

He said artisans present at the Punjab Pavilion have become the centre of attention by being engrossed in the creation of their works of art.

Around 50 stalls of artisans have been decorated at the Punjab Pavilion, in which around 100 skilled craftsmen are engaged in the work. Among the artisans are Hajran Bibi Chungir Sazi from Bahawalpur, Shahada Bibi Kishda Kari, Ibrahim Alam, Asma Zahoor, Muhammad Ahmed, Zeeshan Rashid, Shah Jahan Begum, Surya Abdullah, and Abdul Rehman.

In the festival, Shaukat Dholi, who has represented Pakistan at the international level, is also entertaining visitors.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2023.