Lok Virsa holds ‘basant’ song competition

Islamabad: The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) on Sunday organised a biggest ‘basant’ song competition which was held here on the premises of Lok Virsa to celebrate spring.

Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr. Fouzia Saeed in her opening remarks welcomed the folk artists participating in the song competition. She said many talented singers with newly made ‘Basant’ songs were participating in the competition from across the country.

She said that this was very important to celebrate the special events like ‘Basant’ and other traditional events of the country. She said that the presence of large number of people in the event were proving that people love to listen the folk music of the country. She said that such events not only promote our culture but also a great source of entertainment.

The competition jury was comprised of renowned singer Arib Azhar, Suleman Adil and Yasir Nouman. The singers who participated in the competition include songs of Ashiq Jutt, Fazal Jutt, Rani Naseem, Irfan, Umar, Rizwana, Sadaf Ali, Bashir Lohar, Ayesha, Bushra Sadiq and Shazia Khan.

The participants wearing yellow traditional clothes highly applauded the performances. The kite stall, food, yellow ‘chunri’ and fun activities for children were also part of the ‘Basant’ competition.

A puppet show was also arranged for the children.  Child folk artists also performed on the occasion and got big applause from the audience.  The folk drummers entertained the visitors all long day at premises of Lok Virsa.  The visitors were taking keen interest in the stalls of traditional foods at the premises.

The visitors also enjoyed ‘bhangra’ on the songs presented by the contestant of the competition. In Professional category first prize was achieved by Fazal Jutt, second Bashir Lohar, third prize was awarded to Rizwana.

While in New talent category, first prize was achieved by Shajia Ikram, second by Umar and third prize was award to Ayesha.

Later, talking to media, Fazal Jutt appreciated Lok Virsa for organizing the song competition on the eve of spring season. He expressed hope that Lok Virsa would organize more such event in the future.