Folk musicians, dancers continue to enthral visitors

Islamabad
As you enter the ‘Lok Mela’ venue, folk musicians and dancers, who continue to enthral the young and old alike, welcome you with their colourful and energetic performances.
These performers are always surrounded by the visitors, especially children. The colourful traditional attires attract visitors to take pictures with these dancers. “I have taken many selfies here which I plan to upload on my Facebook,” said a college student.
Folk performances are the lifeline of the 10-day ‘Lok Mela’ where folk artistes from different regions of the country exhibit their talents. Each year, these performers add colour and energy to the ‘Lok Mela’ environment providing an exclusive opportunity to learn and appreciate rural culture in the heart of the capital.
These folkloric songs and dances are usually performed on occasions like celebration of the arrival of seasons, birth of a child, weddings and other festivals. The dances are extremely simple, rhythmic with a minimum of steps and movement. On most occasions, the dancers sing themselves, while being accompanied by artists on the instruments. At times men and women dance together. Each dance has its own flamboyant costume which is ornamented with extensive jewels.
This year the folk dancers who are busy performing in the ‘Mela’ include ‘Gata Ghora’ Group from Multan, Caravan Dancers pertaining to ancient Silk Route from Gilgit Baltistan, Dharees Dancers from Jhang, Ustad Rehmatuddin Iqbal Nabi, Aftab Alam & others from Chitral and Faizi Dance Ensemble from Kalash Valley.
Furthermore the folk artists, folk performers and entertainers also includes Fazal Jatt (Punjab Folk Theatre) from Lahore, Shahid Ali Khan and party from Peshawar, Akhtar Channel, Jangi Khan and party, Sachu Khan and Khadim Hussain from Kalat, Khuzdar and Dera Bugti, Bashir Lohar and party from Chiniot, Sain Hussain and party from Missan Kalar, Bushra Sadiq from Lahore, Krishan Lal Bhel and Guliya Ram Ranti Group from Rahim Yar Khan, Mai Zeenat and party from Umerkot, Gampat Bheel and Wadhu Bheel child singers from Umerkot, Shaukat Ali and Zaman Ali (Dhol-Shehnai Players) from Hafizabad, Anees Ahmad (keyboard player), Amanat Ali (tabla player),
Azam Jogi and Akhtar Ali and party from Rawalpindi, Wahid Bukhsh from Sadiqabad, Ali Imran and Ms. Bano Rehmat from Muzaffarabad. Also the rural musicians hailing from across the country participated in the ‘Mela’ with full enthusiasm and gave spectacular performances inclusive of music, songs and lyrics of their respective areas. The ‘Mela’ will continue with all its festivities and attractions till April 12.