Happy Independence Day - Watan Ki Miti Gawah Rehna

A very happy independence day to all of you. May Allah give you everything, you desire and pave the way of progress and prosperity.

A poet had said,

Jin Logo Ne Khun De Ker Is Phool Ko Rangat Bakhshi Ha
Do Char Se Dunya Waqif Ha Gumnam Najane Kitne Ho

Those who gave their lives and blood and those, especially our mothers, daughters and sisters who were either kidnapped or raped and killed, for our better, safe and secure future are the real heroes of our country.

It was not just a piece of land, but the demand of our beloved religion, Islam, which require us to spend our life according to the rules set by it.

14th of August is a Black Day for those who try to penetrate in to our unity, faith & discipline. Being a united, with strong commitment with our faith and by keeping our discipline at best, we can easily and comfortably come over them. That is why, the slogan of Unity, Faith & Discipline has been given to us.

After the death of Mr. Jinnah, Madre Millat Mohtarma Fatimah Jinnah said that we need to transform our polity according to the principles of Islam and Pakistan is supposed to help the Muslim world in in particular and the whole world in general. Therefore, during your celebrations, I shall request you all to spare at least one hour and draw your plan for next one year that how you will pay your part of contribution in this matter.

Begin your celebration with thanks giving prayers and end with commitment that you will never let your nation down, you will never let your religion down and you will do whatever you will have to do for the best of this Allah given country and for the poor, innocent and beautiful people of Pakistan.

Here is an Independence Day gift for all of you from me.

1. Happy Independence Day - Allah O Akbar
http://www.markthetruth.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=234

2. Happy Independence Day - Tum hi sai aai Mujahido
http://www.markthetruth.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=233

3. Ae Watan Payare Watan
http://www.markthetruth.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=9

4. Happy Independence Day - Watan Ki Miti Gawah Rehna
http://www.markthetruth.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=232

Craft Bazar

Spread over seven acres, the 'Craft Bazar' is animated with shops and pavilions offering an endless variety of knickknacks, folk furniture, well- crafted utensils, exquisitely embroidered garments and bed linen, gemstones, onyx goods and works of carved wood. Hot and appetizing Pakistani food is also available on the stalls. Folk entertainers -singers, dancers, village bards and puppeteers, dressed in rainbow coloured traditional costumes of innumerable varieties, enthral the visitors with their performance. Wandering minstrels, dancing dervishes and rustic bards also entertain the visitors with folk, mystic and epic songs.

A colourful display of traditional folk dances from every province and comer of Pakistan is held during the festival, at intervals, as an open-air attraction. Amongs1 the folk dances performed at the festival, the most popular one~ include Bugti, Dharees, Sheedj and Khattak. Puppet theatre and magic shows are also arranged during the festival week.

Artisans at Work

Master craftsmen and artisans, specializing in Pakistan's folk and traditional crafts recreates their crafts and handloom products in much the same way as they do in their own settings and delight the visitors with their marvellous skills.

An exhibition of Folk Arts & Crafts, held in the spacious halls of the Lok Virsa Museum, is another significant aspect of the festival. Some 1,000 exhibits, representing a rich treasure of the craft heritage of Pakistan, offer encyclopaedia information on craft techniques, raw material, predominant colours and the skills involved. In their splendour, variety and exquisite workmanship, these exhibits are really a feast for the eyes.

Music Festival

Some performing groups, drawn from the rural areas of the four provinces of Pakistan, participate in the National Folk Music Festival. These groups perform in their traditional folk costumes and also play their traditional folk musical instruments. A number of distinguished guests attend the colourful event and honour a maestro by placing a turban on his head.

In folk-lore, the turban symbolizes a great honour .The ceremony is called 'Dastarbandi' , and it is followed by a poetic position, called' 'Sehra', to eulogies the services of the maestro to the humanity. Drums 11 and coloured balloons are leased at this event.

Lok Mela - Pakistan

The lush and picturesque Shakarparian Hills in Islamabad is at its best in spring. The bounty of the nature is appropriately tapped by holding the Lok Mela (Folk Festival) in Lok Virsa Complex, in March/ April, every year .The Lok Mela affords 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 comers of Pakis display their fascinating traditi, costumes, arts, crafts recreations. In essence, the Mela is a key to understanding the mystical element in the psyche of Pakistani people and thro this festival of having a better understanding of Pakistan.

The highlights of Lok Mela include a National Folk Music Festival, an Artisans-at- W Exhibition, a Craft Bazar , a Puppet Theatre and a General Assen of Craftsmen. A brief account these events is given below