ISLAMABAD, April 15: Culture pavilions of different provinces are the major attractions of the Lok Mela organised by the Lok Virsa, with Sindh displaying the rich culture and traditional architecture of the land of Sufi saints.

Coordinated by Sindh culture department, over one hundred participants including master artisans in various craft fields, folk artists, rural musicians, instrumentalists and folk dance groups are participating to exhibit their cultural heritage.

These artists include Karim Dino Faqir, Sarwar Ghafoor, Faheem Allan, Ahmed Ali, Mir, Rasool Bux, Allah Din, Arbab Khoso and Jeeram. Folk dance groups participating from Sindh include Matka dancers, Sindhi folk dancers, Shahnaee dance groups and Firework (Thari) dancers.

Most prominent among the female artisans from Sindh is Ms Haleema Bibi, 72, who practices darree work. She had learnt the art from her mother at an early age, and is transferring it to the coming generations.

Similarly, Shahib Dino Mallah, an artisan belonging to a remote village in Khairpur, weaves the traditional Khes (a patterned double-bounded weave cloth) and has dedicated 40 years of his life to the art.

Deputy Director of the Sindh Culture Department and coordinator of the Sindh pavilion, Habibullah, said a special Sindhi musical night was scheduled for 19 April at Lok Virsa open air theatre, where Khan Mohammad Chandio Group, Faqir Jamal Din and Party, Taj Mastani, Tufail Sanjrani, Faheem Allan and Sarwar Ghafoor will perform.

Lok Virsa’s executive director, Khalid Javaid, told the media that Sindh was famous for lacquer art, blue pottery, embroidery, block printing, carpet weaving, wood work and several other arts.

The festival will continue till Sunday, 21 April at Lok Virsa Complex, Garden Avenue, Shakarparian daily from 11am to 10pm.—A Reporter