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The Punjab Information and Culture Department awarded Kamal-i-Fun Award to 50 artisans and folk singers in recognition of their services in a ceremony held at Alhamra Cultural Complex, Gaddafi Stadium. The award carries Rs200,000 cash and a medal each.

The award ceremony, punctuated with folk singing performances, was presided over by Minister for Information and Culture Mian Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman. The executive directors of the Lahore Arts Council and Punjab Council of Arts also attended the event.

It was an enthralling experience for the audience due to phenomenal performances and Sufi songs by folk singers, including singers such as Fazal Jutt, Rubi, Reshma, and performances by instrumentalists.

“These people deserve a special attention as diminishing arts need to be kept alive through intervention by the state,” said Additional Secretary Culture Saman Rai.

Also read: ‘Folk singing will not end,’ says singer Qurban Niazi

The awardees were selected from across Punjab, including its remotest tehsils.

The artisans presented their works to the chief guests which included khussa, dolls, clay dolls, ghughoo ghore (clay toys) from the desert, brass, metal work, mirror work, shawls by weavers, camel skin pieces and bamboo lamps.

The officials of the information and culture department said the awards would be a regular yearly feature and more categories would be included in it.

The Pakistan National Council of the Arts will hold a national exhibition after Eid, featuring artworks from all over the country, including Punjab.

Before the grand exhibition, exhibitions at the provincial level will also be held. They will have a historical context with reference to the land, life and people of Pakistan and will culminate into national exhibition which is being revived after a long time.

Read on: If I'd performed publicly earlier no one would've married my daughters: Mai Dhai

The Lahore Arts Council (LAC) will hold a reference in memory of famous music composer Wajahat Attre after Eid.

Wajahat, who passed away in Lahore recently, was son of renowned music composer Rasheed Attre. He composed music for over 200 films. The council will also hold musical performances based on Wajahat’s compositions.

Holding of an arts and crafts festival based on the revival of dying arts and craft is being planned by the Punjab Government, the dates of the event however are being finalized.

The festival will be an attempt to bring together artists, dancers, singers, artisans and creators to celebrate artistic and multicultural life.

Originally published in Dawn, June 18th, 2017