Sindhi musicians enliven folk festival
ISLAMABAD: Before formally opening the Sindh Folk Festival at Lok Virsa on Friday, Federal Minister for Culture Pir Aftab Shah Jilani put a cloak on the person of Pari, a 75-year-old artisan, who earns a living by making cotton rugs.
The festival is being hosted by the Sindh Culture Ministry and Lok Virsa.
Author and woman activist Fauzia Saeed, the compere of the inaugural session, in her introductory remark said decorating master craftsmen by placing a turban on their heads was a 25-year-old tradition at the Lok Virsa. However, this time a craftswoman has been chosen in accordance with the custom of Sindh.
In the opening session, guests were entertained to an unabashed flow of music. The performances truly identified the province as a magical land of peace permeated by lovely sounds of musical instruments and their moving and soulful tunes.
Indeed visitors were entertained to the mystical performance of Raza Allan singing Jaike meehar kan tari aavyon exactly in the manner of the late former maestro Allan Faqir.
Serpent trainer Jai Ram Jogi gave a replay of how one catches poisonous snakes by making them dance to the vibration of musical instruments.
The melody produced by musical instruments stole the glamour of speeches that came later.
Minister Jilani defined culture as the reflection of the way common people eat, dress, drink and interact with each other.
Secretary Culture Sindh Shams Jafrani said the province had the desire to share its immense variety of scenes and sights with the people of the country.
Lok Virsa Executive Director Khalid Javed said we should expose our great traditions to the people of the country before taking musical troupes and craft exhibitions abroad.
Federal Secretary Culture Moinul Islam Bokhari praised Lok Virsa for designing impressive projects to create awareness of the country’s cultural heritage.
Source: Dawn
Date:6/6/2010
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