ISLAMABAD: Lok Virsa hosted a Kashmiri musical night featuring local folk songs on Thursday at the Open Air Theatre as part of the ten-day Lok Mela.

Minister Sports, Youth and Culture Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Mohammad Saeed was the chief guest on the occasion.

Kashmiri singers presented a number of folk songs and local dances during the ceremony. The stage was beautifully decorated with posters of scenery from Kashmir, its buildings and handicrafts.

The event was organised in collaboration with the Sports, Youth and Culture Department of Azad Kashmir.

The ceremony started with a melodious instrumental performance by local musicians who played the famous Kashmiri song ‘Mere Wattan Teri Jannat Mein Ayen Gein’, which was followed by Akbar Khan playing two tunes on his Alghoza and flute. He also read out the lyrics of the song which he had played.

A young folk singer, Shakil Mir presented ‘Saiful Mulk’ in his local language and four singers wearing traditional dresses sang ‘Mere Wattan Mere Chaman’

As per the old Kashmiri tradition, all the male guests were presented with turbans and the women with shawls.

A song titled ‘Sindh, Sarhad, Punjab, Balochistan Mein Rehta Hoon’, was presented with the artists wearing traditional clothes from across the country.

The Kashmiri folk singers who took part in the event include Bakhtawar, Rehmant Bano, Nadir Ali, Dalwar Abbas, Bushra Sadiq, Wajid Malik, Akbar Khan and Shakil Mir.

Lok Virsa Executive Director Dr Fouzia Saeed said Kashmiri music reflects the rich heritage and cultural legacy of Kashmir. She said Lok Virsa is making efforts for the promotion of folk music from across Pakistan.

Minister Saeed thanked the Lok Virsa executive director for hosting a Kashmir culture show and said Lok Virsa is doing a great job of entertaining and educating people about the rich culture of the country.

Talking to Dawn, a member of the audience Adnan Sohail said such events are very encouraging.

“I belong to Kashmir and I do not miss such events in Islamabad where I can enjoy my culture and my regional songs. I request the government and Lok Virsa to start a musical evening program at the Open Air Theatre where people who have moved to Islamabad can enjoy their regional music,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2017