Jashn-i-Tanawal attracts people

MANSEHRA: The Jashn-i-Tanawal attracted a large crowd as the artistes, including singers and performers revived the centuries-old folk music and dances here on Sunday night.

“Our forefathers migrated here to Tanawal from Afghanistan centuries ago but our people are still living in its olden culture and tradition even in this modern era,” MPA Ibrar Tanoli alias Mohammad Iqbal told the crowd at Jashn-i-Tanawal.

The folk singer Sajjad Hazara charged youngsters with his Hindko folk music. They danced to the drum beat while he was singing songs.The centuries old Gatka and Kumar dances were also presented by folk dancers and students of Hazara University and other educational institutions.

“I would hold such events twice annually to promote the traditional culture and traditions of hospitality of Tanawal, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Haripur and Swabi,” said Tanoli.He said that Tanawal, which was once part of Pulrah and Amb states, was merged into Pakistan in 1950 but people were still deprived of basic amenities. “We want status of a district for Tanawal to end the sense of deprivation of our people and time is not far when government would give this belt the status of a district,” the MPA said.Prominent personalities from Tanawal Dr Ishfaq, District Naib Nazim Murtaza Tanoli and others also spoke on the occasion and shed light on history and culture of Tanawal.