By Asma Kundi
ISLAMABAD: The art and culture of Kashmir valley were showcased on Thursday at the ongoing Lok Mela through colorful handmade Kashmiri crafts, music, and traditional food.
Lok mela organized by Lok Virsa
The 10-day-long mela organized by Lok Virsa is attracting more and more people through the display of art and ‘artisans at work’ from every nook and corner of the country. Every province and area has a specific day for showcasing its culture and Thursday was Kashmir Day at the mela. The Kashmir pavilion was a major point of attraction for people. Artisans live at work, and the aroma of traditional food, and lively vibrant music was presented beautifully.
The Kashmir pavilion has been set up by Azad Kashmir Culture Department. A performance pit has also been created in the pavilion. Many professional and amateur singers give periodic performances and present Kashmiri folk music.
Zulfiqar Ghazi was the main star of the pavilion, who is a master of Papier Mache. He was making beautiful products with the help of dough prepared with paper. The movement of his hands was clearly showing his expertise in his work. He is also a master of stained glass, fabric designing, and furniture painting. He said that he participates in the festival because he wants our young generation to learn about these arts and crafts. Along with it, he gets customers for his work through such opportunities of showcasing his work.
The other one is Irfan Ghulam Nabi. He is a master craftsman in wood carving from the Kashmir Valley. He learned this art from his father at an early age. Due to the oppressive policies of the Indian occupation forces, his family migrated to Pakistan and settled in Rawalpindi permanently.
Lok Mela imparting training to students
He is imparting training to several students, thus ensuring the continuity of his art to the younger generation. Irfan uses walnut wood, cedar, and ‘Dalbergia’ sissu (shisham) for creating exquisitely carved furniture, doors, boxes, and decorative items. He often uses teak wood for crafting the most profusely intricate carved items.
He carves nature, leaf patterns, animals, and floral designs. Irfan took part in a number of festivals and exhibitions in the country and abroad. He has been attending Lok Mela annually, since the long and winding recognition of his talent.
A cultural night was also organized by the Azad Kashmir Department of Sports, Youth, and Culture during Lok Mela on 1st December 2022 at Lok Virsa’s open-air theatre featuring many folk artists and musicians from Azad Kashmir.
A contingent of over 25 participants from Azad Kashmir is taking part in the festival. They include eleven craftspeople in the field of paper mache, wood carving, carpets, namada, gabba, Kashmiri shawl, and embroidery. Artisans are Zulifiqar Ghazi, Ms. Yasmin Mustafa, Ms. Shahzadi Bano, Amjad Ali, Irfan Ghulam Nabi, Kh. Muhamad Siddique, Ms. Rizwana Naureen, Qazi Abdul Razzak, Sheikh Muhammad Yousaf, Ms. Najiba Hafeez, Mr. Jamal Zafar, and Mr. Ghulam Mustafa.
