Cultural festival starts at refurbished Nishtar Hall

PESHAWAR: A two-day cultural festival kicked off with colourful programmes at the Nishtar Hall on Saturday, which also marked the grand opening of the lone cultural centre in the entertainment-starved city.

The Directorate of Culture, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has organised the event to promote culture and abreast the youth of the centuries-old heritage and history and revive the indigenous cultural traditions, said a press release.

The organisers said that the mela would also help entrepreneurs increase their incomes.

The event, which is open to families only, was largely attended by women, children and female students on the first day. They evinced keen interest in the products put on display and various other activities. Artisans from all the regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are participating in the event.

Around 35 stalls have been established to display handicrafts, embroidery, Taghar work, Bannu Royal Khaadi, stone carving, Peshawari caps, wax painting, metal work, wood carving, artwork, calligraphy, ring making, sitar making, Chitrali Patti, Gandhara Art, Drooza chappal, Sarghashay, Charsadda chapal, maizaray work, Karawa work, Sarkha, Dandas, Parunay, pottery work, blacksmith work, Hazara Jisti Shawl and Moti work and a lot of other items.

Tantakor programme has also been planned for the audience entertainment, which included Rabab, mangai, tambal, attanr etc. Outdoor dance was also performed which included Chitrali Kalash group, Bacha group, Joomer and Shabo.

The visitors also enjoyed the local and traditional games like mukha, tug-of-war, stone lifting, gatkha, kabadi and others.

Earlier, the grand opening of Nishtar Hall was held at a ceremony titled “RICH Mela”.

Minister for Culture & Sports Mehmood Khan inaugurated the fully refurbished and renovated Nishtar Hall. Additional Secretary Tariq Khan, Deputy Secretary Adil Safi and Director Culture Abdul Basit besides other officials were also present on the occasion.

Nishtar hall was established in 1988, but it had never been refurbished. This was the first major renovation and upgradition of the tastefully built Nishtar Hall. The scope of work included sound proofing, installation of 600 chairs, carpeting, sound system replacement, lightning system, overhauling of air conditioner plant, roof treatment, revolving stage and curtain, gallery renovation, distempering, washrooms, waiting areas, make up rooms and development works.