Ten-day Lok Mela Concludes

Folk Festival of Pakistan, popularly known as Lok Mela, organized by National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) successfully concluded at Shakarparian after showcasing richness and diversity of Pakistan's cultural heritage for ten consecutive days.
The 10-day Lok Mela focused on provincial harmony and national integration by highlighting contribution of our artisans and folk artists in growth and prosperity of the country.
The event aimed at reviving endangered traditional arts and providing an opportunity to craftspeople not only to display their workmanship at federal capital but also to sell their products to public without the involvement of middleman.
The Mela also afforded an opportunity to diplomatic community and residents of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi together with adjoining areas to witness authentic folk musical and cultural entertainment besides buying traditional items of daily use.
Lok Mela-2015 was dedicated to "Dying Crafts of Pakistan", wherein twenty-one artisans representing different provinces or regions showcased their work.
The objective of setting up this unique pavilion was to apprise the young generation on richness of Pakistan's heritage and to garner support from various international organisations and NGO's to finance artisans whose contribution towards safeguarding the cultural heritage is immense.
The dying crafts focused in the exhibition included Ivory and Camel Bone, Camel Skin Work, Paper Thin Pottery, Khes, Lungi, Block Making, Metal Work, Blue Pottery, Farasi, Khatta weaving, Taghar, Sharma or Paloos, Namda or Yigin, Musical Instruments (Dhamboora and Saroz), Chitrali Wood Work and Kashmiri Wood Work.
All four provinces and Azad Kashmir also fully participated in the Mela by presenting their beautiful indigenous culture, arts, crafts, music and cuisine in specially designed pavilions symbolising their respective historical monuments, contributing art, music and entertainment activities.
Apart from other provincial pavilions, first time a "Chitral Kalash Pavilion" was also set up in the Mela which featured folk artists, musicians and dancers.
The pavilion remained centre for attractions for visitors due to unique culture and traditions attached to the area. Throughout the Mela, the focus remained on promoting and preserving rich cultural heritage of the country. The visitors witnessed a plethora of cultural activities like craft mela to allure shoppers, folkloric performances (rural musicians and dancers) and special puppet shows, face and hand painting for children. Around 500 artisans, folk artists, musicians, performers and folk dance groups from all parts of the country participated in the Lok Mela.
Cash awards of around three lac rupees were distributed among the winning master artisans and folk artists in recognition of their talent in two separate ceremonies held on April, 8 and 11 graced by Chief Minister Balochistan, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch and Secretary Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage respectively.
Thousands of visitors from various walks of life attended the Mela activities daily on April 3-12 and enjoyed thrilling performances presented by the folk artists and musicians.
A visitor Anisa Alvi said "Lok Virsa deserves commendation for holding such a huge event with a greater participation of traditional practitioners including folk artists, crafts persons, musicians and performers from every corner of the country and that too with a high sense of responsibility and creativity".