The on-going Lok Mela is on full swing here at Lok Virsa complex, Garden Avenue, Shakaparian under the aegis of the National Heritage & Culture Division.
Availing the opportunity created by Lok Virsa at Islamabad, a large number of the residents of twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad hailing from different walks of life visit the festival on daily basis. The main features of the festival are artisans-at-work exhibition, folkloric performances, song and dance ensembles, traditional cuisine, arts & craft bazaar, etc.
Apart from other activities, a number of folk artists, rural performers, folk musicians and folk dance groups are also participating in the event and providing a healthy entertainment to the visitors.
The folk music constitutes an integral part of cultural life of the people of Pakistan. It includes folk songs and folk dances. Folk songs speak for the popular emotions and sentiments which emanate direct from the core of the heart of the people. These songs differ in tone, tenor and accent of language from region to region but their central themes invariably resemble with each other. This is due to unbreakable cultural ties of the people as a whole.
When we talk about folk singers, one must not forget the energetic performances by the Punjabi artist Fazal Jat. He entertains the audience with presentation of popular folk tales of Punjab in a unique style amid beating of drums which attracts the listeners.
Folk dancers, attired in beautiful regional costumes are seen giving their exotic performances at the venue. They include Khattak dance party from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gatta Ghora dance party from Punjab, Sindhi Jhoomar dance party from Sindh.
On 7th November 2023, a Cultural Diversity Show was organized in the open air theatre of Lok Virsa featuring folk singers, musicians and dancers from all the provinces and regions of Pakistan. These performers included Ditta G (Cholistani dance group), Fazal Jatt, Rizwan Haider on dhol, Ahsan Ali on Shehnai. Faryal Bibi and Sonia, folk singers, Child star dance group, Ejaz Hussain, Shehnai player from Gilgit Baltistan and lots more.
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