Hyderabad: Third edition of Lahooti Melo began at Hyderabad Club on Saturday. The event aims to promote and highlight the classical music, musicians, culture and musical instruments of Sindh. Artists from Sindh and across Pakistan as well as different parts of the world will participate in the event which has been arranged with the collaboration of culture, tourism and antiquities department, government of Sindh. The event has been divided into many segments including workshops, panel discussion, day light performance and night performance. After the opening ceremony on the first day, three different panel discussions were held to discuss the issues of Sindh. The Hindu festival of Holi was also celebrated by the Lahooti Melo team to give a message of pluralism and cultural diversity. The opening ceremony followed a session titled ‘Advocating for Music Curriculum’ in which speakers Khalid Anam, Zamir Ghumro and Haji Muhammad Dal expressed their views. The discussion was moderator by renowned journalist Wusatullah Khan. The speakers were of the opinion that music-related courses should be introduced in the academic institutions. They further stated that with the remarkable discussion of policy makers and writers, such subjects can be introduced in curricula for the uplifting generation. The two-event will feature performances from more than five artists, including Aaroh, Samejo’s very own The Sketches, Somewhat Super, Lyari Underground, Akbar Khameeso Khan and Suhaee Abro. Taimoor from Lal Band Lahore expressed his depth feeling during inaugural session that, it is the only platform to encourage the folk music and folk culture for the enhancement of secular state. In Sindh, the continuity of Sufi Shah Inayet and Shah Abdul Lateef is linked to the ideology of Qalandar Lal Shahbaz who chose to spread the message of art as a means to promote humanism. Vice Chancellor Sindh Univeristy Jamshoro Prof Dr Fatheh Muhammad Burfat said that arranging such festivals is the need of the hour because cultural diversity and values should be promoted. Vice chancellor Liaquat University of Medical and Health Science Jamshoro, Prof Dr Bikha Ram Devrajani said that the concept of Lahooti Mela is to eradicate hatred from the society by promoting art. Senator Sassui Palijo said that the trend of such customs were mainly targeted on the shrines of sufi saints but it is another thing they people have completely changed the framework of such old stereotypes, they have gathered number of legend singers, musicians and contributory figures across the border in the field of music and art. She added that the main purpose behind the gathering in such events is only love and it will be appreciable at the every single step of life and existence. Saif Samjeo, founder of Lahooti Melo said that, “Lahooti Melo is a kind of event where racial and cultural connections will be consciously uplifted between the audience and artists. It’s an event to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul. It’s for art and artists culture and discourse to intentionally collide. We believe that by holding such events we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community, country and the world.” More than 80 musicians were also the part of Lahooti Melo,some of whom are supporting the obselete musical instruments of Sindh, Chang and Bhorendo. A young artist hailing from Umerkot named Nirmala Maghani also performed at the first day of the event. Published in Daily Times, March 4th 2018.