ISLAMABAD: Balochistan’s rich culture and traditions displayed at the Lok Mela cultural festival are the centers of attraction for visitors to enjoy the arts and crafts of Balochistan, along with the display of cultural materials of other provinces of Pakistan.
The organizers of the festival have allocated open places to all the provinces for displaying their local folk cultures in an interactive and creative manner. The Balochistan pavilion attracted visitors by presenting the richness of Balochi folk music, culture, arts, crafts, rituals, traditions, folk entertainment, and cuisine.
The pavilion of Balochistan is situated at the center of the Lok Mela festival ground. Visitors who enter Balochistan pavilion through the beautifully designed gates displaying typical Balochi architecture and culture feel like they are really in Balochistan.
Balochi Contingent is Comprised of Folk Musicians, Dancers, Artists, and Artisans
The Balochi contingent includes folk musicians, folk dancers, craftspeople, folk artists, and master artisans Arzi Khan, Kaneez Fatima, Fazal Kakar, and Shakar Bibi in Balochi embroidery. Similarly, Arzi Khan is in woodwork and musical instrument making, and Rozi Khan is sitting in Balochi shoes.
Among them, Kaneez Fatima, a female craftswoman in embroidery, is an educated lady. She stands out for her excellence and tireless propagation of this traditional art by transferring the rich culture to the future Balochi generations.
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Kaneez Fatima has been taking part in Lok Mela cultural festival for the last 23 years. She was awarded several times for excellence with certificates and cash prizes.
Balochi “Sajji” Attracts Food Lovers
While visiting the cultural festival, one should not ignore tasting “Sajji” the traditional cuisine of Balochistan. Balochi people specialize in this traditional dish.
Visitors from Islamabad and Rawalpindi throng to the Balochi food daily and appreciate the unique taste of Balochi traditional cuisine.
Visitors said they could see glimpses of rich cultures from every corner of Pakistan in the lush green and beautiful surroundings of Shakarparian hills. The visitors said the beautiful surroundings significantly contribute to increasing Islamabad’s beauty, stature, and landscape.
Balochistan Pavilion organized its musical evening on Sunday at Lok Virsa’s open-air theatre. The eminent artist Jamal Shah was the chief guest on the occasion. Lead Balochi artists like Akhtar channel, Abdul Baqi, Humayun Kakar, and others performed at the musical evening.
The festival will continue with all its festivities till 4th December.
