Mela Chiraghan festival starts

LAHORE: The four-day Mela Chiraghan festival started at Shalimar Gardens on Friday. The event is being organised through a collaboration between the Walled City of Lahore Authority and the Government of Punjab.

The festival features soulful Sufi poetry, folk dance, music, and traditional arts. Sufi and folk music sessions were held on the first terrace with performances by Liaqat Parkvi and the Chaap Group (Mast Qalandar Dera), Taj Mastani and Shaukat Faqir (Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Dera).

On the second terrace, artists associated with various Sufi traditions, including Deto Lal Bheel, Aadho Bheel, Sajid Alan Faqir (Khawaja Ghulam Farid Dera), Shaukat Dhoolia, Heer singers, traditional Boliyaan, and Punjabi folk performers (Madho Lal Hussain Dera) showcased their artistic prowess. On the opening ceremony, Director General of the Walled City of Lahore Authority Kamran Lashari said the festival is not merely a display of culture, but a celebration of the people's spiritual connection.

Raqs-e-Darwaish was presented on the 2nd terrace. In the evening, as lights illuminated the main stage on the third terrace, the atmosphere turned magical with a fusion of music. The evening opened with a fire show, juggling acts, and musical performances, followed by a joint performance of renowned folk singers. While Ramzan Jani won the hearts of the audience with his Sufi music, the Qawwali performances of Nadeem Salamat and Masood Salamat added to the joy of the celebration.