Potohar Folk Festival: Farewell to the frolic

The festival that started at Lok Virsa, Shakarparian highlights Potohari art and culture.

POTOHAR:

With celebration reigning high, the Potohar Folk Festival came to a close here at Shakarparian on Friday, said a press release issued by Lok Virsa.

The six-day festival, aimed at preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Potohar region, featured captivating music and dance performances by various folk artists.

(Read: Cultural entities - Potohar folk music and poetry reading pulls big crowd at Lok Virsa)

Prominent among these were the Arshad Mehmood group, Potohari poetry by Khadim Ali, Namberdar Ghulam Murtaza on chimta, traditional dhol performance by Bashir and Amjad, traditional poetry recitals by Malik Shamshas, Malik Zeeshan Sadiq, chit chat by Raja Amjad Mahmood, dhol performances and luddi and sammi dances.

“I got the opportunity to enjoy true Potohar culture after a very long time,” said Jabbar Hussain, a visitor. A number of visitors could also be seen purchasing traditional shawls of Swat and hand-made clothes from Sindh.

“There is no substitute for these hand-made suits from Sindh and woolen shawls from Swat,” said Javeria, another visitor.

Muhammad Lal Khan, a stall holder from Swat selling shawls, said he got a great response from visitors.

Lok Virsa Executive Director Khalid Javaid said, “The festival contributed significantly in documenting, preserving and projecting the rich cultural and musical heritage of the Potohar region.”

With additional input from Obaid Abbasi.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2011.