Lok Mela: Jamal Shah Highlights Culture’s Power for National Unity

News Desk

Islamabad: Caretaker Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah emphasises the role of culture as a catalyst for provincial solidarity, harmony, love, peace, and brotherhood among the nation.

Speaking at the award ceremony of the ten-day folk festival, Lok Mela, organised by Lok Virsa, Minister Jamal Shah commended the vibrant display of rich culture and traditions from all four provinces, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The festival showcased these diverse cultural aspects in a fitting manner, with handicrafts and artwork serving as significant attractions for visitors.Terming Pakistan as a land of ancient civilizations, the minister said Pakistan hosts ancient civilizations including Mehar Garh, Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, and Gandhara, which left remarkable footprints in this region.

He said that the government is fully determined to strengthen national institutions by introducing innovative programmes.

Jamal Shah said that the main focus of the cultural festival was on national integration and provincial harmony, highlighting the contribution of members of diverse communities in shaping Pakistan’s future.

He pointed out that by introducing children to their environment and culture at a young age, they can make more informed decisions in life.

The minister said that this year’s Lok Mela revived two long-lasting elements of the festival: folk theatre and ‘putli tamasha’.Shah said that a conference was also organised by language experts from the country to convert the rhymes, Lok poems, songs, and literature into attractive videos, animations, and illustrated books.

He said that this year, all the events of the festival were held in expression of solidarity with the people of Palestine. He said a specific stall was reserved for the collection of funds for Palestine.

Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division Humaira Ahmed appreciated the cooperation of the culture departments, art councils, craftspeople, and folk artists of all provinces and regions.“The annual Lok Mela serves as a reminder about the immense wealth of raw, untapped talent and the diversity of arts and crafts that every nook and cranny of the country offers,” she said.

Earlier, Executive Director Lok Virsa of the National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage, Muhammad Uzair Khan, said that more than 500 skilled artisans and folk artists from across the country took part in the Mela.

Provincial pavilions were central to the festival and were a reflection of the cultural and traditional folk arts, folk food, and folk crafts of each province and region. Each province—Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir—organised special musical concerts during the festival.The festival entertained the people of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi with the vibrant colours of Pakistan’s cultural heritage. At the same time, during the concluding ceremony, awards were given to deserving master artisans, folk artists, and media persons on the recommendations of a national jury formed for the purpose.

Hundreds of rural musicians, master artisans, folk dancers, and folk artists from different parts of Pakistan, including remote and far-flung regions, participated in the cultural festival, bringing with them their creativity in innovation, arts, and crafts.

The artists also performed folk songs at the concluding ceremony and got big applause from the audience. Later, the Minister for National Heritage and Culture and Executive Director Lok Virsa distributed appreciation letters and awards among the best artisans, folk artists, and media persons for their extensive media coverage during the ten-day folk festival.

Photo credit: Lok Virsa Management