Richness of Balochistan culture on display at ‘Lok Mela’

Islamabad

The rich culture and traditions of Balochistan displayed at the ongoing Folk Festival ‘Lok Mela’ prove to be an opportunity for visitors to value the arts and crafts of the province.

Visitors take keen interest in the Balochistan pavilion as it stands out among the pavilions of other provinces for displaying culture, embroidery, dresses, music and food rare to be found in the capital city otherwise.  The organisers have allocated spacious pavilions to all the provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir for showcasing their indigenous folk culture in a creative and interactive manner.

The Balochistan pavilion set up by the Balochistan Directorate of Culture in collaboration with Lok Virsa presents richness of Balochistan culture, arts, crafts, folk music, rituals, traditions, cuisine and folk entertainment. 

The Balochistan contingent includes craftspeople, folk artists, folk musicians and dance groups. Master artisans are Daryan Khan in traditional ‘saroz’ making, Miral Khan in leather embroidery, Muhammad Akram in handloom work, Rozi Khan in ‘Balochi chappal’ making, Malookan in Balochi embroidery and others. Folk artists and musicians include Abdul Wahid, Talik/ ‘dholak’ player, Muhammad Shakir (blind), ‘saroz’ player, Faiz Muhammad, ‘surnai’ player, Shakeel Ahmad, firework artist, Dad Shah, ‘saroz’ player, Fida Ahmad, ‘saroz’ player and others. Famous Leva dance group also entertains the onlookers regularly with their distinctive attire and unique dance moves.

The Balochistan musical night is scheduled on April 10, 2016 at 7 p.m. wherein eminent folk artists, musicians and performs will perform live in a concert.

A visitor, Afsheen Hassan, said “one can see here the glimpses from every corner of Pakistan created in the lush green surroundings of the Shakarparian Hills, contributing significantly to enhance the stature, beauty and landscape of the federal capital”.

'Lok Mela' continues with all its festivities. Daily timings are from 11 am to 11 pm. The Award Ceremony of Lok Mela will take place on 10th April 10, 2016 at 5 pm. Cash awards will be distributed among the winning master artisans and folk artists on the recommendations of a national jury constituted for the purpose.