Folk festival of Pakistan “Lok Mela” which opened here at Shakarparian yesterday is in full swing. The event is organized by Lok Virsa (National Institute of Folk & Traditional Heritage), a specialized institution working for the promotion and preservation of Pakistan’s culture at Islamabad.
“Cultural pavilions” created by different provinces are major attractions of the festival. While visiting the festival grounds one can see an aesthetically designed colourful pavilions depicting the rich culture and traditional architecture of the land of Sufi saints – Sindh province.
Coordinated by Sindh culture department under the personal supervision of Ms. Sassi Palejo, provincial minister for culture, a contingent of over one hundred participants including master artisans in various craft fields, folk artists, rural musicians, instrumentalists and folk dance groups is actively participating and showcasing their cultural heritage. The folk artists and musicians seen busy in performing at the pavilion include Raza Alan (singing in the style of legendary folk artist late Allan Faqir), Urs Bhatti (alghoza), Ghous Bux Brohi (flute) and Jiram Jogi (murli).
Folk dance groups participating from Sindh are 6-member Sain Dad group (matka dance), 6-person Imam Dino (shahnai) group, 5-person Agha dance group, 3-member Thari dancers, 2-person Chandi Faqir group, 2-member Chapli dance group, etc.
The creative artisans displaying their workmanship include Mst Siani (khes weaving), Mst. Pari (durree weaving), Arbab Soomro (Ajrak), Khan Chand (leather work), Sahib Dino (Sindhi cap), Nabi Bux (lacquer work), Abu Bakar (chunri/embroidery work), Gopal Das (tie dye), Saleman (leather work), Khadim Hussain (Moenjodaro replicas), Mst Sara (charkha weaver), Sumero (Farasi weaver), Zamir Ahmed Khan (wood work), Faqir Mohammad (pottery) and Sobraj (shoe maker).
The other most prominent artisan from Sindh is Zameer Ahmed Khan from Hyderabad. He is a master artisan in making small wooden crafts. He is making a successful living out of creating ornamental items. Zameer does this despite his hardship, he has only one hand.
Zameer lost his left hand working in a factory on his 15th birthday. This proved to be quite an obstacle for him as he was left-handed. Regardless of the fact that he had lost an instrumental part of his body, Zameer was a keen footballer as well. He later shifted his attention to wood craft creating wooden ornaments.He faced lot of difficulties, but he had the courage and support of his parents. He is married with four children. His children study in schools who also help him when they are free at home.
A disabled person yet capable man, Zameer has participated in a number of exhibitions and fairs including Lok Mela. He also want to take part in foreign exhibitions.Zameer makes small wooden key chains with names of persons. He also makes wooden ornamental items, trophies, shields, etc. He created wooden model of Cricket Worldcup during 2011, which later was sold for generating funds for helping another disabled man. He teaches this art at Karachi Arts Council where boys, girls, students and children visit him regularly and learn the art of crafting wood into ornaments. He also prepares samples of key chains for various multinational and national companies.
The other features of the Sindh pavilion include a book stall arranged by Sindh culture department, Thari embroidery display, Sindhi bangles, traditional cuisine – Sindhi saag roti, Larkana Maava (sweet), Sindhi Falooda, Shikarpuri Acchar, etc.
Each year, the festival “Lok Mela” opens with a “dastarbandi” or “chadarposhi” of an established artisan. This year, an outstanding master craftswoman Mst. Naseem Sultan in the field of Hurmuch (Sindhi embroidery) from Sindh was selected for this honour. Mst. Naseem Sultan is the recipient of the pride of performance civil award and has been participating in Lok Virsa’s annual festival for the last twenty years.
‘Dastarbandi’ or `Chadarposhi’ is a symbol of Lok Virsa’s sustained campaign to keep the heritage of Pakistan alive and continuing. A turban in folk mythology of Pakistan is synonymous to doing great honour. When you place a turban on some one’s head you have placed your complete trust in that person’s wisdom and his/her stature in life. This is Lok Virsa’s way of showing that the craftspeople and folk artists have importance in national life and they have made a great contribution to our culture. After the turban is placed on the head, a poetic composition called “Sehra” is recited to honour the master artisan/artist. Drums resound proclaiming his attainments, and coloured balloons go up in the air.
According to the coordinator, Sindh pavilion Mr. Habibullah, Assistant Director, Sindh Culture Department, a special musical night featuring known folk artists like Sanam Marvi, Taj Mastani and Raza Allan is scheduled in the festival on 10 April 2012 at 7.30 p.m. at Lok Virsa open air theatre. Provincial minister Sassi Palejo is expected to be the chief guest on the occasion.
The festival will continue at Lok Virsa complex, Shakaparian till Sunday, 15 April 2012 daily from 11.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. with all its colours.
Bravo Ms.Sassi Palejo and team.
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