On the seventh day of Lok Mela the Open Air Theatre came alive with Kashmir music as crowds poured in, with attendance surpassing 200,000 visitors to witness a night dedicated to Kashmiri folk traditions, song and dance.
The Kashmir Musical Night featured an acclaimed lineup of Kashmiri artists who brought the valleys of Azad Jammu and Kashmir to Islamabad through their voices and stage presence. Performers included Altaf Mir, Ashiq Hussain Butt, Sohail Abbasi, Syed Dilawar Abbas, Nadir Khan, Hina Abbasi, Shakeel Ahmed Mir, Shahzeb Hussain, Sajjad Kashmiri, Natasha Khan, Raja Imran, Basit Sheikh, Noman Saleem, Babar Panjkoti and Bano Rahmat, each contributing to a varied musical programme that showcased regional melodies and storytelling.
Accompaniment on traditional instruments enriched the evening, with Anwar Ali on keyboard, Muhammad Maroof on tabla, Sunny Gill on dholak and Muhammad Badar Khan on rubab weaving rhythmic and melodic textures. The performances blended folk, pahari, sufiana and gojri styles, highlighting the depth of Kashmir music and prompting sustained applause as audiences connected with the musical legacy.
Throughout the day visitors explored artisan stalls, sampled regional cuisines, enjoyed puppet shows and visited cultural pavilions that represent Pakistan’s provinces. The Kashmir Pavilion drew particular praise for intricate hand embroidery, fine wooden craftwork and authentic regional delicacies that complemented the musical programme.
Lok Mela Executive Director Dr. Muhammad Waqas Saleem said, “Lok Mela brings together Pakistan’s living heritage and reminds us that our cultural diversity is our greatest strength,” reflecting the event’s theme of Unity in Colors – Lok Virsa ka Sang. Lok Mela remains open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM at Lok Virsa until 16 November 2025, continuing to offer performances and cultural showcases that celebrate Pakistan’s heritage.
