Lok Mela ends in colour, music

Folk music, traditional dances & regional performances captivate audiences

ISLAMABAD:

Lok Mela 2025 organised by Lok Virsa concluded with a mesmerising blend of colours, music, dance and regional cultures.

The concluding award ceremony brought joy and pride to the faces of folk artists and artisans of Punjab. Traditional handicrafts, folk music and regional dances highlighted the cultural identity of Pakistan in a magnificent manner.

The main part of the closing ceremony was the grand cultural show in which dance groups from all four provinces and different regions performed various regional dances including Ladi, Dhamaal, Liwa and Ho Jamalo. The colours, music and charming regional costumes made the show memorable, while the audience applauded each performance.

The award ceremony was presided over by Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Muhammad Waqas Saleem and Ministry of National Heritage and Culture Division Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz Akbar presented a shield of honour to Rawalpindi Punjab Arts Council Director Muhammad Shakoor. On this occasion, Punjab folk artist Bashir Lohar was given a super award of Rs500,000, while musician and singer Muhammad Ishaq Saqi, Gandhara stone art expert & craftsman Muhammad Ehsan and Saria Abdullah from South Punjab were given special rewards worth Rs10,000. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said at the ceremony, "Lok Mela 2025 has once again proven that Pakistan's cultural roots are still strong, popular and alive. This festival is a beautiful manifestation of national unity and national aspirations."

Along with Lok Virsa, the culture departments of all provincial governments played a major role in making the ten-day festival a success. Traditional handicrafts, live demonstrations, folk music and regional cuisine by expert artisans from all divisions of Punjab province at the Punjab Pavilion captured the special attention of the audience.

Diplomats from China, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Iran, the United States, Myanmar and Tajikistan specially participated in the festival and highly appreciated the cultural diversity of Pakistan.

The Lok Virsa Mela held in Shakarparian was awash with colours, music, dance and vibrant activities of artists. The closing ceremony proved that Lok Mela is not just a festival, but a grand celebration of Pakistan's cultural identity and cultural continuity.