Islamabad: Lok Mela continues with all its fanfare at Lok Virsa, Shakarparian, Islamabad. This year’s mela is a perfect fun recipe as folk artists, musicians, performers and dancers continue to enthral the young and old alike.
Folk performances are the lifeline of the 10-day mela where folk artists from different regions of the country exhibit their talents. The main aim of this mela is to provide a platform to the upcoming artists and familiarise them with their audience so that they can enhance their skills as per the need of the hour.
This year the folk dancers who are busy performing in the mela includes: Gata Ghora Group from Multan, Caravan Dancers pertaining to ancient Silk Route from Gilgit Baltistan, Dharees Dancers from Jhang, Ustad Rehmatuddin Iqbal Nabi, Aftab Alam and others from Chitral and Faizi Dance Ensemble from Kalash Valley.
Furthermore the folk artists, folk performers and entertainers include: Fazal Jatt (Punjab Folk Theatre) from Lahore, Shahid Ali Khan and party from Peshawar, Akhtar Channel, Jangi Khan and party, Sachu Khan and Khadim Hussain from Kalat, Khuzdar and Dera Bugti, Bashir Lohar and party from Chiniot, Sain Hussain and party from Missan Kalar, Bushra Sadiq from Lahore, Krishan Lal Bhel and Guliya Ram Ranti Group from Rahim Yar Khan, Mai Zeenat and party from Umerkot, Gampat Bheel & Wadhu Bheel child singers from Umerkot, Shaukat Ali and Zaman Ali (Dhol-Shehnai players) from Hafizabad, Anees Ahmad (keyboard player), Amanat Ali (tabla player), Azam Jogi and Akhtar Ali and party from Rawalpindi, Wahid Bukhsh from Sadiqabad, Ali Imran and Bano Rehmat from Muzaffarabad.
Folk music includes both traditional music and the genre that evolved from it during the 20th century folk revival. The term originated in the 19th century but is often applied to music that is older than that. Folkloric songs and dances have always been performed on occasions like: celebration of the arrival of seasons, birth of a child, weddings and other festivals.
The dances are extremely simple, rhythmic with a minimum of steps and movement. On most occasions, the dancers sing themselves, while being accompanied by artists on the instruments. At times men and women dance together. Here it is interesting to note that each dance has its own flamboyant costume, which is ornamented with extensive jewels.
Also the rural musicians hailing from across the country participated in the Mela with full enthusiasm and gave spectacular performances inclusive of music, songs and lyrics of their respective areas. The Mela will continue with all its festivities and attractions till April 12, Sunday, 2015.
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