LAHORE: The Punjab Council of Arts (PCA) is going to hold grand finale of the Firs All Punjab Music Competition 2024 in Lahore on June 28, officials told Dawn.

Officials say the 27 top position-holders from 38 districts and nine divisions of Punjab will compete in the final round of the contest to win the ‘Vice of Punjab’ title.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is also expected to attend the event as the chief guest, they add.

The officials says that these 27 contestants have qualified for the final by defeating thousands of participants at the district and division level events held across the province.

The first of its kind music competition had started its journey from Faislabad on April 22, 2024 and finally reached Lahore division on June 6, 2024, despite facing threats and gaining province-wide popularity, appreciation and success.

As per officials, over 15,000 participants, including students from colleges and universities, individuals from music families and young aspirants had got themselves registered for the contest all over the province.

Music competitions at the grassroots level play a critical role in promoting talent, preserving cultural heritage, building community, and providing economic opportunities for the participants, they say.

The competition has provided a platform at the grassroots level for local musicians to showcase their talent and gain recognition. It welcomed all music categories, including classical, pop, Sufi, traditional and regional music, also helping to preserve and promote regional and cultural heritage.

The participants learned and performed local music styles, ensuring these traditions are passed on to the future generations.

Speaking to Dawn, PCA Executive Director Ghulam Sageer Shahid says Punjab has a rich and diverse musical heritage that spans various genres and styles. Mr Sageer said the top three voices of Punjab will be awarded Rs200,000, Rs150,000 and Rs100,000 prizes, respectively, while the position-holders at the district level were given Rs20,000, Rs15,000 and Rs10,000 cash rewards.

At the divisional level, he said the first three positions-holders were awarded cash prizes of Rs40,000, Rs30,000 and Rs20,000, respectively.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2024