ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage -Lok Virsa – Friday organized a colorful ceremony of Kashmiri arts and crafts to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day.
Renowned author, playwright and Chairman Pakistan Television (PTV) Corporation Ata ul Haq Qasmi was the chief guest on the occasion.
Addressing the ceremony, he lauded Lok Virsa for organizing such a colourful event to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day.
He also appreciated the folk music performances and cultural diversities shows, presented by the students and folk artists on the occasion.
Students of various schools in traditional costumes presented a number of cultural activities such as folk singing, cultural diversity show, multi-media presentation, etc.
Celebrating national days is a regular feature of Lok Virsa’s activities through cultural programnes, training workshops to highlight particular cultural values connected to the importance of the day.
It is ensured by inviting youth to participate in the programmes to know about the significance and history of the national days, said Fouzia Saeed, Executive Director Lok Virsa.
To celebrate the Kashmir Solidarity Day, Lok Virsa has also started a week-long workshop of Kashmiri arts and crafts in which the Kashmiri artisans and some artistes from Pakistan are teaching their art and crafts making to amateur students and people of Federal Capital.
“To show solidarity with Kashmiris is to feature their precious crafts for our children and provide an opportunity for them to learn paper mache, gabba making, wood carving, shawl weaving and many other unique crafts of Kashmir,” Fouzia Saeed said.
The current programme is a part of a series entitled “Craft of the Month”, where children build a relationship with the folk crafts and explore their cultural identity. Schools in the Federal area participate regularly in the programme.
The programme aims to promote and perpetuate traditional skills of Pakistan, provide knowledge to younger generation about the importance and utility of different crafts and serve as an opportunity for youth to learn about Pakistan’s rich, diverse and pluralistic cultural tapestry.
Source: APP
