Lok Virsa Festival offers a rural glimpse
By Ali Imran

ISLAMABAD—A mini festival at Lok Virsa Complex, Shakarparian was held in connection with Pakistan Day celebrations on Sunday, offering the visitors a glimpse of the rural Pakistan.
Assembled at one place in the Lok Virsa Complex, the village folk, drawn from various regions and corners of the country, displayed their fascinating traditional costumes, arts, crafts and recreations.
The highlights of the mini festival where entry was free for the visitors included an artisans-at-work exhibition featuring master artisans in the field of block printing, Kashmiri shawl and doll making, a craft bazaar, a puppet theatre, a general assembly of craftsmen as well as folk song and dance performances. Another attraction for children was play land.
Some performing groups, drawn from the rural areas performed in their traditional folk costumes and played their traditional folk musical instruments.
Master craftsmen and artisans, specializing in Pakistan’s folk and traditional crafts, recreated their crafts and handloom products in much the same way as they do in their own settings and delighted the visitors with their marvelous skills.
The Exhibition of Folk Arts and Crafts, held in the spacious halls of the Lok Virsa Museum, was another significant aspect of the festival.
The exhibits, representing a rich treasure of country’s craft heritage, offered encyclopedic information on craft techniques, raw material, predominant colours and the skills involved.
In their splendour, variety and exquisite workmanship, these exhibits were really a feast for the eyes.
Hot and appetizing Pakistani food was also available on different stalls.
Folk entertainers - singers, dancers and puppeteers, dressed in rainbow coloured traditional costumes of innumerable varieties, also enthralled the visitors with their performance.
A colourful display of traditional folk dances was held during the festival as an open-air attraction. Visitors from all walks of life greatly enjoyed the luddy dance. Puppet theatre and magic shows were also arranged.
In addition to these special attractions, heritage museum comprising 28 large galleries depicting living traditions and lifestyles of the people of Pakistan also remained open for public.
The premises was decorated with colourful buntings and air balloons.