Daily Times

Islamabad – Folk Festival ‘Lok Mela’ continues in Islamabad in which provinces across Pakistan are showing culture of their provinces through show of arts and crafts in provincial pavilions.

On Saturday, Balochistan pavilion outstood all provinces’ pavilions in showing the rich culture and traditions of Balochistan at the festival. A lot of visitors visited the pavilion showcasing Balochistan’s rich legacy.

The pavilion showed rich culture of Balochistan through embroidery, dresses, music and food rare to be found in Islamabad. The pavilion has been set up by the Balochistan directorate of culture in collaboration with Lok Virsa.

The Balochistan contingent included craftspeople, folk artists, folk musicians and dance groups. Master artisans were Daryan Khan in traditional ‘saroz’ making, Miral Khan in leather embroidery, Muhammad Akram in handloom work, Rozi Khan in ‘Balochi chappal’ making, Malookan in Balochi embroidery and others.

Folk artists and musicians included Abdul Wahid, Talik/ ‘dholak’ player, Muhammad Shakir (blind), ‘saroz’ player, Faiz Muhammad, ‘surnai’ player, Shakeel Ahmad, firework artist, Dad Shah, ‘saroz’ player, Fida Ahmad, ‘saroz’ player and others. Famous Leva dance group also entertained the onlookers regularly with their distinctive attire and unique dance moves.

The Balochistan musical night is scheduled on April 10, 2016 at 7 pm. wherein eminent folk artists, musicians and performers would perform live in a concert.

A visitor, Afsheen Hassan, said “one can see the glimpses from every corner of Pakistan created in the lush green surroundings of the Shakarparian Hills, contributing significantly to enhance the stature, beauty and landscape of the federal capital”.

‘Lok Mela’ is going on with all its festivities. Daily timings are from 11 am to 11 pm. The Award Ceremony of Lok Mela will take place on 10th April, 2016 at 5pm. Cash awards will be distributed among the winning master artisans and folk artists on the recommendations of a national jury constituted for the purpose.