Lok Mela ends with vibrant ceremony

Caretaker Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah has said that culture is the path that leads to provincial solidarity, harmony, love, peace and brotherhood amongst the nation.

He was addressing an award ceremony of the 10-day folk festival - Lok Mela organised by Lok Virsa on Monday.

The minister said that the rich culture and traditions of all four provinces, in addition to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir presented in the festival in a befitting manner while handicrafts and artwork were a great source of attention for the visitors.

Terming Pakistan as a land of ancient civilisations, the minister said Pakistan hosts ancient civilisations including Mehar Garh, Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa and Gandhara which left remarkable footprints in this region. The government is fully determined to strengthen national institutions by introducing innovative programmes, he added.

Shah said that the main focus of the cultural festival was on national integration and provincial harmony, highlighting the contribution of members of diverse communities in shaping Pakistan’s future. He pointed out that by introducing children to their environment and culture at a young age, they can make more informed decisions in life.

The minister said that this year’s Lok Mela revived two long-lasting elements of the festival: folk theatre and ‘putli tamasha’. A conference was also organised of language experts from the country to convert the rhymes, Lok poems, songs and literature into attractive videos, animations, and illustrated books.

Praising Lok Virsa Management for the successful 10-day folk festival, Shah said that Lok Mela was a great source of establishing national cohesion and promoting cultural diversity besides providing quality entertainment to the people. This year all the events of the festival were held in expression of solidarity with the people of Palestine, he said, adding that a specific stall was reserved for the collection of funds for Palestine.

Secretary of National Heritage and Culture Division Humaira Ahmed said: "The annual Lok Mela serves as a reminder about the immense wealth of the raw, untapped talent and the diversity of arts and crafts that every nook and cranny of the country offers."

The festival entertained the people of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi with vibrant colours of Pakistan’s cultural heritage. At the same time, during the concluding ceremony, awards were given to deserving master artisans, folk artists and media persons on the recommendations of a national jury formed for the purpose.

Hundreds of rural musicians, master artisans, folk dancers, and folk artists from different parts of Pakistan, including remote and far-flung regions, participated in the cultural festival, bringing with them their creativity in innovation, arts, and crafts.

The artists also performed folk songs at the concluding ceremony and got big applause from the audience. Later, appreciation letters and awards were distributed among the best artisans and folk artists.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14^th, 2023.