Lok Mela: Eye-catching Baloch culture attracts visitors

Baloch contingent includes artisans, folk musicians.

The rich culture and traditions of Balochistan displayed at Lok Mela have provided an opportunity for visitors to admire the arts and crafts of the province.

When a visitor enters the Baloch pavilion, one feels he or she is in Balochistan, according to a press release. The provinces have showcased their culture in a creative and interactive manner. The pavilion set up by the Balochistan Culture Department catches the eye with presentation of the richness of Baloch culture, arts, crafts, folk music, rituals, traditions and cuisine.

The Baloch contingent includes artisans, folk artists, folk musicians and folk dancers. Master artisans include Malukan Bibi, Murad Bibi and Fazal Kakar, who excel in the art of Baloch embroidery, Daryan, an expert in woodwork and crafting musical instruments, Sabira Gul and Anila Rafique in Pakhtun embroidery, Muhammad Siddique and Muhammad Akram in weaving, Manzoor Ahmed in carpet-weaving and Miral Khan, who has mastered the art of embroidering on leather.

Kaneez Fatima, 44, stands out not only for her excellent embroidery, but also for her tireless propagation of the skill. Some of her apprentices have excelled in the art. She has been participating in Lok Mela for the last 15 years and had been awarded several times with cash prizes and certificates.

A visitor, Raza Ali said, “One can see here the glimpses of culture from every corner of the country presented in the lush-green surroundings of Shakarparian.” While visiting the festival, sajji, a traditional lamb roast, which is a speciality from Balochistan, cannot be ignored.

Balochistan is holding a cultural night on April 19 at 8pm at the Lok Virsa open air theatre. Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch will be the chief guest.

Meanwhile, the festival also focuses on truck art apart from a number of other important cultural and entertainment activities. Master craftsman Habibur Rehman, 75, can be seen actively demonstrating the skill of truck art, which greatly fascinated visitors. He has devoted a major part of his life for the continuation of this craft. He is not only keeping the art alive but also transferring it to future generations. He has so far trained a group of young boys in his locality in traditional and modern techniques of this unique art.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17^th, 2014.