By Azam Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s folk and traditional heritage is under risk of being wiped out due to globalisation, urbanisation and revolutionised mass communication. This was said by Anwarul Haqan, an official of Lok Virsa, while talking to The Express Tribune on Tuesday.

He was speaking after a session of the two-day national on “Safeguarding the intangible cultural heritage of Pakistan” that started in Islamabad at Lok Virsa. The second session will be held at Lok Virsa’s heritage library on Wednesday (today).

“It is the intangible side of culture that has not been given due attention and has remained overwhelmingly neglected,” Haqan said. He said the objective of this activity is to help safeguard the endangered aspects of Pakistan’s folk and traditional heritage that are at risk of being wiped out.

The conference was presided over by folklorist Agha Salim. Eminent researchers, folk writers, intellectuals, regional poets and scholars from across the country gave presentations and presented their papers. They underlined the need to safeguard Pakistan’s intangible cultural assets by identifying, documenting and preparing inventories of its components.

Lok Virsa’s Executive Director Khalid Javaid said the institute plans to document and preserve at least three elements of Pakistan’s intangible culture every year. These components will also be included in Unesco’s urgent safeguarding and representative lists of intangible cultural heritage.

This academic activity will help clarify conceptual ambiguities and identify gaps in research for new ventures on the country’s cultural heritage, he said, adding that the institute has proposed creation of “heritage sites” across the country on an annual basis and safeguarding intangible culture is the first step in this direction.

“It is high time to explore, highlight and revive the richness and vibrancy of our culture, not only for our identity and peaceful shining exterior, but for breathing life in our own people who are facing untold hardships and sufferings,” Javaid added.

A concert with folk artists and musicians was also arranged in honour of the participants. Participants at the first session included Agha Salim, Iqbal Ali Jatoi, Humera Naz, Sarmad Sehbai, Sajida Vandal, Ahmed Salim, Ayesha Imdad, Dr Ali Kumail Qazalbash, Qari Javaid Iqbal and Isar Nabi Khan.

Dr Muhammad Azam, Fazal Amin Beg, Shiraz Haider and Madeeha Gauhar are expected to speak at the second session on Wednesday.
Source: The Express Tribune
Date:2/9/2011